start 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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start

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noun

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

Examples 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
Before people started fretting about what’s film and what’s TV, Lynch had already shattered and discarded those labels. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025 Trade always had its place, but before Trump started hammering away at the issue, the decades-long debate over imports and tariffs was really argued within predetermined bounds. Evan Clark, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
So far, People’s March events for the Chicago area seem to be getting off to a chaotic start. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 After a rocky start to 2025, Wall Street is regaining its swing. Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for start 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
  • Reddit Reacts Many Reddit users jumped to support the man, sharing sentimental experiences of Disney and condemning the woman's behavior.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
  • But from December 2020 to December 2021, the median home value jumped from $371,560 to $433,999.
    Andrew DePietro, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Corporations and unions may establish a political action committee (PAC) for express advocacy or electioneering communications purposes.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Jan. 2025
  • As of July 1, 2024, California Senate Bill 553 requires employers to establish, implement, and maintain a workplace violence prevention plan, said Kate O’Hara, an advocate for low-wage workers, but not all have done so.
    Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Apple’s recent software update, iOS 18.3, automatically activates the Apple Intelligence feature for both new users and those upgrading on eligible devices.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
  • There is a release clause of around €55million (£46m) and Athletic will only sell if that gets activated, so the fact his contract ends in 2027 is irrelevant.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But as the newspaper industry began to change, there were those who believed these keyboard kings had become too big and too important.
    Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The inaugural season of IndyCar coverage on FOX begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding at noon ET Sunday, March 2.
    Bruce Martin, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • What stands out in photos taken in the arena is that the cameras really protrude, perhaps emphasized by the phone’s thin profile.
    David Phelan, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Here are some of the latest discoveries: Family spots wood sticking out of sand dune — and finds historic item in New Zealand In New Zealand, a family stumbled upon a piece of wood protruding from a sand dune, which turned out to be a historic artifact.
    Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The 200-lap feature race will commence with the winners of the heat races setting the tone; Heat 1's victor will claim the pole position, with subsequent heat winners following suit in the lineup.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The live presentation will commence at 5:30 a.m. PT and will stream live on Oscar.com and Oscars.org in addition to the Academy’s TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube platforms.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Popular on Variety At the beginning, these demonstrations are at the margins of the film — more like background noise than an integral part of the plot.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The Joella deluge begins when Lana calls her out at the beginning of the episode for being rude during Untucked about her song.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Four specific moves — illegally attempting to end birthright citizenship, reviving the Schedule F order that could initiate a civil service purge, pardoning January 6 rioters, and ordering multiple investigations into the Biden administration — deserve particular attention.
    Vox Staff, Vox, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Hesitation to initiate tasks, often fueled by the overwhelming nature of clutter, leads to avoidance.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near start

Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

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