1
as in to begin
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to activate
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beginning
the point at which something begins
knew from the start of the game that he would win easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of start
Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Setting aside the gawking nature of certain style choices (the warped, swiveling, 360-degree shots used when someone starts talking about particularly demented ideas are nauseating on multiple levels), the series too closely mirrors its subjects’ insularity.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
The researchers expect the tool to be used in everyday architectural practice as a decision-support system for zero-energy buildings, helping designers make smarter choices that balance comfort with energy efficiency from the very start.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for start
Verb
Columbatto said the village hopes to start construction on the towers at the end of 2027, and begin to welcome residents there at the end of 2029 and in early 2030.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Setting aside the gawking nature of certain style choices (the warped, swiveling, 360-degree shots used when someone starts talking about particularly demented ideas are nauseating on multiple levels), the series too closely mirrors its subjects’ insularity.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
As a result, he was limited to 14 starts across two minor-league levels.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
The researchers expect the tool to be used in everyday architectural practice as a decision-support system for zero-energy buildings, helping designers make smarter choices that balance comfort with energy efficiency from the very start.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
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Many are optimistic the recent leadership change will begin to bear fruit.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
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The field, north of the mining town of Ballarat, had been used as a campsite during the Australian Gold Rush, which began in 1851 and continued for decades.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Principal photography will commence June 2026.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
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While some Winter Olympic qualifying rounds begin on Wednesday, February 4, the Milano Cortina Games officially commence with the opening ceremony on February 6 and run until Sunday, February 22.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Palestinian citizens of Israel are descendants of those who were not expelled or forced to flee their homes when Israel was established in 1948.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Phytoplankton establishes on the branches, which attracts zooplankton and insects.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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She was accused on Monday of having accidentally activated a website for a future campaign to lead the Labour Party.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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The consultancy has a role in advising, managing, activating and measuring more than $5 billion in client partnerships across sports, entertainment, gaming and corporate social responsibility.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Longtime supporters have jumped ship, viewing the LDP as too old-fashioned and center-leaning, and instead flocked to new right-wing parties.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Sonically, nothing jumps out and thrills, excites, or alarms.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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City officials in Reedley first raised concerns in December 2022 after a code enforcement officer noticed a green garden hose protruding from the warehouse.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Intertextuality is described by Scarlett Barton in perhaps the opposite way, as linked to Roland Barthes’ observation that the author is dead, and that the text is the dissolution of every kind of voice, every beginning and core.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
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This approach may appeal to taxpayers who want more personalized guidance at the beginning of the tax relief process before deciding how to proceed.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chess, meanwhile, is thought to have originated in ancient India, and nobody really knows when or where backgammon originated.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
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The challenge originated 48 years ago as the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart challenge, a fundraiser that taught kids the importance of heart health through jump roping.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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