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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

Example 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
The Nationals ambushed Mazur to start the game. Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 The new Song Sung Blue trailer starts with all the pep and energy of a feel-good music film as Mike (Jackman) and Claire (Hudson) bond over their desire to entertain people. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
For fans with mixed emotions after this wobbly 2-0 start, don’t fret. Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones continued his hot start to the season with another efficient outing. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
  • Poland has reported the entry of Russian drones and missiles multiple times since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
  • During World War II, Jenkins began selling items like monuments, tombstones, furniture, home appliances, toys and gifts, in addition to their usual music products.
    Sarah Biegelsen, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Littell would finish six innings before the battle of the bullpens commenced.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Indeed, pricing may commence prior to the earnings announcement.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But once Houston established both sides of the line of scrimmage again, the rest of the tilt became academic.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Upon formally changing his name and establishing WM Entertainment, the label soon signed singers Taegoon and Ahn Jin-kyung with the former’s debut album including production from future HYBE founder Bang Si-Hyuk.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As Lyles started to activate his signature top-end speed, his Jamaican competitors continued to pull away ahead of him.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The Angels already had a catcher on the concussion list, but Logan O’Hoppe has been progressing well and he’s expected to be activated when the Angels begin a series in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The typical price of a single-family home in the United States is about $368,000, jumping roughly 13% over the past 5 years and 38% over the last decade, the ABC News data team found.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Oracle said that revenue this fiscal year in that business will jump 77% to $18 billion from $10 billion in the last year.
    Ari Levy, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The display bezels are super thin at the top and on both sides, with Lenovo’s protruding upper-edge notch housing the webcam and other electronics.
    Mark Coppock, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
  • That is followed by a tabletop planetarium featuring images of planets beamed onto moving objects which magically protrude from it.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The beginning of the evening was marked by an intimate performance on behalf of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
  • And targeting, torturing, and murdering political opponents, rivals, and critics have marked the conflict since its beginning.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hurricane Lane in 2018, spawned by a tropical wave that originated in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, eventually became only the fifth Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale on record in the Central Pacific Basin, according to a hurricane center report.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The new charges originate from that fall, before Rodriguez-Singh left for India, according to the indictment.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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