start 1 of 4

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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

starting

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adjective

starting

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verb (2)

present participle of start
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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
Check out our growing guides on fast-growing summer flower seeds and how to start seeds indoors. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025 West Virginia’s ban, for example, prohibits red, yellow, blue and green artificial dyes in school meals starting Aug. 1. Matthew Perrone, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
For longtime fans of Onimusha the most exciting update though is probably the inclusion of ‘Hell Mode’ difficulty, which is available from the very start. David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Gold has skyrocketed nearly 25% during Trump’s new term, absolutely crushing the pervious record of 13.5% during former President Jimmy Carter’s start to his term in 1977. David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Noun
  • What To Know James appeared on the Special Report with Areva Martin podcast on Tuesday, and was asked at the beginning of the interview about the DOJ reviewing the fraud allegations against her.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The painstaking installation process began at the beginning of 2024, and took months of work to complete before it could be utilized for the first time.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As with the coal black tree snake, the atra tree snake has thus far only been found on its initial island of discovery, Misima.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The cost of the initial investment has not been fully determined, Roberts said.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Today’s college students are thinking about careers long before commencement rolls around.
    Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The commencement announcement comes about two months after Texas State University announced plans to award Sheridan an honorary doctorate.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For those seeking less volatility than individual stocks, consider the High-Quality portfolio, which has outperformed the S&P 500 and delivered returns of over 91% since its inception.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Since its inception, the event has grown while maintaining the welcoming feel of peeking into someone’s life and design style.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Harper started the party in the first inning with a two-run homer off Alcantara — his fifth of the season and the third in the last four games.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Combs' trial, which will take place in downtown Manhattan, is currently set to begin with jury selection on the first Monday in May.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • What To Know The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of National Social Security Month in 2020 and it was not reinstated during the Biden administration.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Barker says the league has embraced the two different viewing perspectives of seeing players live on site or with their families elsewhere after conducting a fully virtual draft during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In her launch video, Stratton wasted no time outlining the stakes.
    Melissa Noel, Essence, 25 Apr. 2025
  • While posing for photos at the New York City book launch event, Knowles was joined by Holmes.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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