as in beginning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in establishing
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 activating
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commencing
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in launching
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 starting
Li Cohen, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025
Murphy is term-limited, so the open-seat contest has attracted a cornucopia of candidates, starting with a crowded field of Democratic aspirants.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Entering the matchup, the Wolves starting five had played 807 possessions of non-garbage time minutes, according to Cleaning The Glass.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Either this starting unit has to click very soon or Finch must make a change to address the sluggishness.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Perhaps Finch is leaning on a couple of recent games against high-caliber competition for optimism about his starting five.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Pickett is active but not starting, meaning Tanner McKee gets an opportunity to make his first NFL start.
—Adam Gretz, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Paris Saint-Germain is keeping an eye on the future of a starting FC Barcelona star as the contract of one of its own players runs down according to Relevo, which cited anonymous sources.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Reports surfaced last week that starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor would miss the game; Proctor dressed at Friday’s practice but was a limited participant during the media viewing period.
—Austin Meek, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
The New Year is starting with a fresh warning for those who work with animals in Texas.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025
Murphy is term-limited, so the open-seat contest has attracted a cornucopia of candidates, starting with a crowded field of Democratic aspirants.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Entering the matchup, the Wolves starting five had played 807 possessions of non-garbage time minutes, according to Cleaning The Glass.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Either this starting unit has to click very soon or Finch must make a change to address the sluggishness.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Perhaps Finch is leaning on a couple of recent games against high-caliber competition for optimism about his starting five.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Pickett is active but not starting, meaning Tanner McKee gets an opportunity to make his first NFL start.
—Adam Gretz, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Paris Saint-Germain is keeping an eye on the future of a starting FC Barcelona star as the contract of one of its own players runs down according to Relevo, which cited anonymous sources.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Reports surfaced last week that starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor would miss the game; Proctor dressed at Friday’s practice but was a limited participant during the media viewing period.
—Austin Meek, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starting
Adjective
-
In this case, the planetesimal that was the beginning stage of Earth didn’t drop its MVEs at the start of its development.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
-
One source said that at the beginning Trump was reluctant to hold the meeting, but eventually agreed.—
Barak Ravid,
Axios,
7 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Constantly jumping from one shiny object to the next can lead to distractions that chip away at our businesses' foundations, making sustainability challenging.—
Cody Bjugan,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Everybody was smiling and literally jumping with joy.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
By Daniella Gray Family and Parenting Reporter 1 With children as young as 6 months already establishing a digital footprint, parents who opt to keep their kids offline find themselves in the minority.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
25 Dec. 2024
-
In reality, the establishing exterior shot is a matte painting, and the interior of the structure and closer exterior shots were built out on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lot.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
When purchasing the same package but activating PayPal Rewards, rather than using his affiliate link, MegaLag reported earning about 89 cents in cashback.—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Arsenal have decided against activating an option to extend Kieran Tierney’s contract by an extra year.—
James McNicholas,
The Athletic,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
While tending to their garden this fall, homeowners in upstate New York spotted what appeared to be two giant teeth protruding from the soil, partially concealed by plant fronds.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to the news release, the mastodon jaw was found protruding from the topsoil, which caught the homeowner's attention.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The initial deadline Thursday was postponed until Monday because of the court battle.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Taylor is wearing the T initial chain from the Grammys as a necklace vs her upper thigh!—
Megan McCluskey,
TIME,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Abigail Stuart, founding partner of Day One Strategy, with 20+ years in brand and market research, drives innovation and champions AI.—
Abigail Stuart,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
The team focused on the northern end of town, known as Upper Brooklyn, where records showed the founding families once lived.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The credit for originating the practice is contested by several claimants.—
Thomas Doherty,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Dec. 2024
-
For some, the declines were symptomatic of a greater disorder originating from within the league itself, something egregious enough to effectively drive a fifth of the audience away within the span of a single year.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
27 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near starting
Cite this Entry
“Starting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starting. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share