false start
noun
1
: a premature start (as of a race or football play)
2
: an unsuccessful attempt to begin something (such as a career)
Examples of false start in a Sentence
If someone makes a false start, the race is immediately stopped and the runners have to start again.
After several false starts, the researchers were finally able to identify the virus causing the epidemic.
Recent Examples on the Web
But after a short run and an incompletion, the Patriots committed a false start to set up 3rd and 12 from the 17.
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February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The rookie tackle let up a sack and was penalized for a false start.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Occasionally, Dora the Explorer popped up onscreen to explain the technical rules of football, including what constitutes a false start.
—Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
Crazy tax ideas go viral on platforms like TikTok all the time, sharing inaccurate advice that can give people a false start on their tax return.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for false start
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February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The rookie tackle let up a sack and was penalized for a false start.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Occasionally, Dora the Explorer popped up onscreen to explain the technical rules of football, including what constitutes a false start.
—Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
Crazy tax ideas go viral on platforms like TikTok all the time, sharing inaccurate advice that can give people a false start on their tax return.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for false start
Cite this Entry
“False start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20start. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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