1
as in jumped
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in founded
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
started the impressionist movement in art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in triggered
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in began
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruded
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in commenced
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
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 started
The Belgium international has started to utilise his physical traits, increasingly aggressive in duels and more willing to dominate his opponent.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Villa, who started the taqueria as a pop-up in the Highland Park neighborhood in 2018, took to Instagram to express gratitude for the opportunity, underscoring his family’s immigrant background.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
After softening up the New England defense in the opening quarter, Walker started to find a groove.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins started the month of February with a goalie fight during their Stadium Series matchup at the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Michigan started the second quarter with a 25-22 lead after seven lead changes and four ties.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Instead of listening to reason, mobs of angry senior citizens around the country started to form into groups demanding justice.
—Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026
This is the beginners heels class at Vibe Dance Studio, which was started by Izzy Gonzales and her dad Ed four years ago.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
The philanthropy started by Bill and Melinda French Gates will shutter in 2045 and has plans to make a record $9 billion in donations this year while remaining primarily focused on health care and disease research.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Villa, who started the taqueria as a pop-up in the Highland Park neighborhood in 2018, took to Instagram to express gratitude for the opportunity, underscoring his family’s immigrant background.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
After softening up the New England defense in the opening quarter, Walker started to find a groove.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins started the month of February with a goalie fight during their Stadium Series matchup at the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Michigan started the second quarter with a 25-22 lead after seven lead changes and four ties.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Instead of listening to reason, mobs of angry senior citizens around the country started to form into groups demanding justice.
—Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026
This is the beginners heels class at Vibe Dance Studio, which was started by Izzy Gonzales and her dad Ed four years ago.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
The philanthropy started by Bill and Melinda French Gates will shutter in 2045 and has plans to make a record $9 billion in donations this year while remaining primarily focused on health care and disease research.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for started
Verb
-
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
-
According to Kendall Becker, Trendalytics fashion and beauty director, online conversations mentioning Ralph Lauren jumped 400 percent year over year across Instagram and TikTok.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Woodson earned degrees from Berea College (Kentucky) and the University of Chicago before earning a doctorate from Harvard in 1912, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, an organization Woodson founded in 1915.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile the National Citizen Party (NCP), a political party founded by students following the uprising, has struggled to meaningfully muscle its way into Bangladesh’s fractious and often violent political scene.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Clearly, the historic performance — one that attempted to illuminate and celebrate the Latin community, people and their past — left her feeling triggered.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
While authorities said 11 of the 12 victims were killed in avalanches triggered by exceptionally unstable conditions on ungroomed backcountry slopes, The Associated Press reported a total of 13 deaths.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Seahawks’ victory completed a season that began with an NFC West loss to the 49ers at Lumen Field.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The show began with Bad Bunny peering through some tall grass as if in a sugar cane field in Puerto Rico.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Big, waxy flowers called lobster claws protruded from thick stalks.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
However, blood was pouring out of Good’s left ear immediately after the shooting, and tissue protruded from the left side of her head, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported last week.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
TikTok and Snap settled with a plaintiff involved in the case before the trial commenced.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Bad Bunny commenced his historic performance with a stage set evoking Puerto Rican history, beginning with the brutal legacy of Spanish imperialism on the island.—
Raquel Reichard,
Refinery29,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Although, an official shade of blue has not been established for the flag.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Cannon established Coppermark and almost immediately reached out to Stephanie Lee, a roofing contractor and independent adjuster with extensive experience in hail, wind, and tornado damage.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Squirrel-proof bird feeders have openings that squirrels cannot reach into and, in some cases, they're activated by a bird landing on them.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Started.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/started. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
