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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
  • Plus, Friday trips downtown, which had been sluggish post-pandemic, jumped 14% over 2023 numbers.
    Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
  • According to the government agency, exports to the U.S. jumped 16 percent year over year in December alone.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Apply large doses of sage green on kitchen cabinetry or walls to establish a more peaceful atmosphere in the hub of your home.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Methods include establishing healthy lifestyle habits, opting for certain medical procedures, and implementing complementary methods that help improve blood flow in your legs.4 Testing/Screenings Spider veins are primarily diagnosed through a physical exam by a healthcare provider.
    Laura Schober, Health, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Suppose Alice gives Bob one bitcoin in a transaction that will activate only after block 1 million.
    Korok Ray, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The alert will trigger an emergency lockdown and will alert the Broward Sheriff’s Office real-time crime center, which has access to surveillance cameras that activate during an emergency.
    Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Whites and Skaggs also began performing often together, with Skaggs introducing the group to new audiences.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Out of her spine emerges a creature with too many appendages, body parts in the wrong places, and Elisabeth’s face protruding from her back.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Identifiable by their protruding upper jaw and spiny bodies, the new species had a few key features that set them apart.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The 119th Congress has commenced with a notable shift in religious affiliation among its members, reflecting a broader trend of religion declining across the United States.
    Janae Bowens, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2025
  • But the real processing will commence in the next weeks and months as El Capitan starts conducting nuclear weapons research in addition to computing work for fusion energy projects, climate change, and drug discovery.
    Michael Kan, PCMAG, 10 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
  • As a footnote: Kudos to the producers to honoring the legendary former host Peter Marshall with a mention at the beginning of the first episode.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement Marrone warned that more power shutoffs, initiated to limited potential fire starts from electrical equipment, will likely occur over the next few days.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Beginning in 2022 and extending throughout 2024, Amazon initiated the largest layoffs in the company’s history, cutting more than 27,000 jobs across the company.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near start

Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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