Synonyms of starting

starting 1 of 2

adjective

as in beginning

Related Words

• beginning
• initial
• opening
• first
• earliest
• pioneer
• original
• inaugural
• foremost
• maiden
• primary
• leadoff
• headmost
• eminent
• premier
• superior

Dissimilar Words

• last
• final
• latter
• concluding
• latest
• following
• terminal
• ultimate
• succeeding
• lag
• closing
• terminating
• eventual
• ensuing
• consequent
• rearmost
• hindmost
• bottommost
• crowning
• decisive
• conclusive
• definitive

starting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of start

1

as in jumping

to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)

I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jumping
• leaping
• cringing
• wincing
• startling
• bolting
• flinching
• twitching
• jerking
• reacting
• responding
• springing
• shrinking
• recoiling
• jolting
• bounding
• blenching
• spooking
• quailing
• squinching

2

as in establishing

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of

started the impressionist movement in art

Synonyms & Similar Words

• establishing
• founding
• initiating
• launching
• introducing
• creating
• beginning
• pioneering
• instituting
• inaugurating
• planting
• constructing
• constituting
• originating
• organizing
• innovating
• developing
• producing
• setting up
• inventing
• devising
• manufacturing
• authoring
• expanding
• thinking (up)
• cooking (up)
• conceiving
• funding
• enlarging
• financing
• making up
• concocting
• subsidizing
• fathering
• arranging
• contriving
• fabricating
• endowing
• relaunching
• systematizing
• reinitiating
• reinstituting
• putting up
• refounding
• systemizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closing (down)
• shutting (up)
• ending
• finishing
• abolishing
• phasing out
• stopping
• terminating
• halting
• nullifying
• annihilating
• annulling
• winding up
• rounding (off or out)
• wrapping up

3

as in activating

to cause to function

trying to start the car on a frigid morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• activating
• triggering
• sparking
• driving
• moving
• generating
• powering
• fueling
• running
• pushing
• setting off
• igniting
• turning on
• charging
• provoking
• touching off
• launching
• actuating
• firing
• cranking (up)
• switching
• releasing
• electrifying
• energizing
• turning over
• stimulating
• accelerating
• tripping
• discharging
• reactivating
• exciting
• kicking over
• recharging
• inciting
• kick-starting
• instigating
• stirring up
• jump-starting
• quickening
• arousing
• catalyzing
• stepping up
• vitalizing
• speeding (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cutting
• killing
• stopping
• checking
• sticking
• cutting out
• shutting off
• turning off
• halting
• arresting
• cutting off
• stalling
• braking
• drawing up
• slowing
• jamming
• deactivating
• suppressing
• repressing
• decelerating
• stunting

4

as in commencing

to come into existence

the fight started when one child tripped the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

• beginning
• commencing
• originating
• appearing
• arising
• being
• forming
• arriving
• emerging
• springing
• existing
• living
• breaking
• dawning
• continuing
• actualizing
• materializing
• setting in
• lasting
• engendering
• breathing
• surviving
• coming on
• subsisting
• persisting
• shaping (up)
• coalescing
• enduring
• cohering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ending
• stopping
• ceasing
• finishing
• terminating
• concluding
• discontinuing
• halting
• quitting
• disappearing
• vanishing
• dying
• dissolving
• evaporating
• departing
• desisting
• expiring
• passing away
• perishing

5

as in protruding

to extend outward beyond a usual point

frightened horses with starting eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protruding
• poking
• projecting
• bulging
• standing out
• swelling
• jutting
• sticking out
• bunching
• extending
• pouting
• billowing
• ballooning
• overhanging
• bagging
• bellying
• pooching
• pouching
• stretching
• beetling
• expanding
• lengthening
• inflating
• snowballing
• mushrooming
• dilating
• distending
• doming
• elongating
• blowing up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contracting
• shrinking
• condensing
• compressing
• constricting

6

as in launching

to take the first step in (a process or course of action)

we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• beginning
• commencing
• launching
• opening
• falling (to)
• creating
• entering (into or upon)
• initiating
• striking (into)
• embarking (on or upon)
• getting off
• organizing
• generating
• getting to
• originating
• establishing
• getting going
• leading off
• adopting
• setting about
• kicking off
• inventing
• inaugurating
• founding
• instituting
• spawning
• innovating
• pioneering
• embracing
• taking up
• taking on
• fathering
• setting up
• getting down (to)
• getting around (to)
• getting round (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ending
• finishing
• stopping
• terminating
• concluding
• ceasing
• discontinuing
• completing
• halting
• closing
• leaving
• quitting
• laying off
• abandoning
• destroying
• desisting
• knocking off
• abolishing
• forsaking
• extinguishing
• exterminating
• demolishing
• phasing out

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of starting

Adjective

Nussmeier earned the starting role for LSU as a redshirt junior for the 2024 season. —Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026

Entering a must-win Game 4 at State Farm Arena on Saturday, Brown stuck with the starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026

After injuries took their toll on Miami’s offensive line, the staff inserted Cooper into the starting lineup at right guard. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

In rounds two and three teams are still picking from the upper echelon talent in the draft, therefore the players should be capable of handling a starting role immediately, if not in a year or two. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Leaning on fresh legs for inspiration, the Los Angeles Football Club made several changes to the starting lineup that fell flat on Sunday in a lopsided loss to San Jose. —Josh Gross, Daily News, 23 Apr. 2026

Parker has taken on a big role in draft preparations as the Cowboys hope to add two starting-quality talents to his defense on Thursday night, and potentially a third on Friday night. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026

On each occasion, Hurzeler immediately restored his trusted captain to the starting lineup at Boscagli’s expense. —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026

Ball was considered the final piece to a starting lineup that could contend for another national championship. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026

Verb

The question becomes what to do with the others, starting with Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026

The bill would invoke its restrictions in stages, starting with software and vehicle rules in 2027 and adding hardware rules in 2030. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Hospital surveillance footage captured Talley pointing the gun at the room where the technician was hiding, Pekara said, before starting to make his way out of the building. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

More ordinary Russians are starting to speak out, in a rare chorus of dissent. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Even worse, local governments are starting to follow suit, holding meetings and burying documents in secrecy when the truth is politically inconvenient. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026

Deep pockets aren’t enough to guarantee entry—access is by invitation only, limited to just 300 elite fans with premium tickets starting at $60,000 per person. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026

As for Rani's big brothers, Kate told Jennifer that the duo is thinking about starting a family band. —Staff Author, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026

The right tackle had a fine rookie year, starting all 17 games. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026