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
Unfortunately, Botswana’s sprint star was disqualified for a false start.
—
Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
More Rich Storry/Getty Images Vrabel specifically pointed out a false start penalty on rookie left tackle Will Campbell and a pair of penalties on K'Lavon Chaisson for lining up in the neutral zone as examples of penalties that didn't need to be called.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Video showed multiple Eagles players committed an uncalled false start on the play, and current and former NFL players said during the game there should have been penalty flags on those plays.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
After a two-yard run by Wilson, Hudson was flagged for a fourth penalty, his second false start.
—Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for false start
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Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
More Rich Storry/Getty Images Vrabel specifically pointed out a false start penalty on rookie left tackle Will Campbell and a pair of penalties on K'Lavon Chaisson for lining up in the neutral zone as examples of penalties that didn't need to be called.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Video showed multiple Eagles players committed an uncalled false start on the play, and current and former NFL players said during the game there should have been penalty flags on those plays.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
After a two-yard run by Wilson, Hudson was flagged for a fourth penalty, his second false start.
—Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
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 17 Sep. 2025.
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