start 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstärt How to pronounce start (audio)
Definition of startnext
1
as in to begin
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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2
as in to commence
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

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3
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

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4
as in to activate
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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5
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

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6
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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start

2 of 4

noun (1)

as in beginning
the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

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starts

3 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of start
1
as in jumps
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

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2
as in founds
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in activates
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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4
as in begins
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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5
as in protrudes
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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6
as in commences
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

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starts

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of start
as in beginnings
the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of start
Verb
Montgomery started the inning with a walk. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026 In those sleepy unstaffed stations, passengers routinely board and the train starts moving again before the conductor ever makes contact or scans their tickets. —CBS News, 1 May 2026
Noun
Given Bello’s recent struggles, will the club consider skipping his next start? —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026 Looking for a softer start to spring dressing? —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
By mid-April, the foliage starts to emerge. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026 Early voting starts May 18 and runs through May 22. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
From spring cleaning to garden prep, the season of fresh starts has arrived! —Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 Read More TopicsMet Gala 2026 The Met Gala buzz starts now. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start

Phrases Containing start

Browse Nearby Words

star-spangled
start
started
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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on start

Nglish: Translation of start for Spanish Speakers

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