STARTS Synonyms: 304 Similar and Opposite Words

starts 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of start

as in jumps

to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in founds

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in activates

to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in begins

to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in protrudes

to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commences

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

starts

2 of 2

noun

plural of start

as in beginnings

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

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 starts

Verb

The question then becomes whether there is a problem with the emerging technology, or, if this starts with the culture of policing itself. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026 But the extremely rapid pace here also raises concern about what happens if, or when, the boom starts to dissipate. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 With a month to go before October, when the Dodgers’ pursuit of a third consecutive World Series title truly starts, Roberts understands that Ohtani’s situation must be addressed now. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Chips built for bending The manufacturing process starts much like that used for conventional silicon wafers. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026 If fluid starts pooling in your lungs (known as high-altitude pulmonary edema) or in your brain (high-altitude cerebral edema), get medical attention as soon as possible. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026 Toss and stir until the shallot starts to look wet, then pour in just enough vinegar to coat generously. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 That journey starts with head coach Marcus Freeman going against his former boss Luke Fickell and what could be a quietly feisty Wisconsin squad. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 What starts as an ice and rock collapse can ultimately reach communities as a debris-laden flood. — Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

In four career starts against the big-league opponents, Madsen is 0-4 and has mostly struggled. — Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026 The playbook that drove the first $100 million starts to drag. — Doug May, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Kilstrom started at center in the Cardinal’s season opener against Hawaii and has 23 career starts under his belt. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 For a small-scale, first-time gardener, buying starts (young plants) might make the most sense. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Because staff carry are charged with carrying dozens of bottles of beverages up the cliff in a backpack before their shift starts. — New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026 Manaea has appeared in 28 games, and exactly half of them have been starts. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Carr led the Fighting Irish to 10 straight wins to end last season and finished with 24 touchdown passes, most by a Notre Dame quarterback through 12 starts since 1966. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Ezeudu appeared in all 17 games for the Giants in 2024 in a reserve role, which included two more starts at left tackle and one as an extra lineman. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for starts

Verb

O'Malley beat Song by decision at UFC 324 in January, which is the wrinkle in any case that jumps him.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
On top of this, season 2 jumps around in time quite a bit, further putting a strain on your ability to follow narrative threads.

— Andrew Webster, The Verge, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of jumps

Verb

Currently, free agency begins five days after the World Series, with no expiration on when players can sign.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
That window begins either with their first year in college or the year following their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of begins

Verb

Anything that protrudes above the shallow, insulating snow cover is more prone to being damaged by the cold and wind or eaten by wildlife, said plant ecologist Anne Bjorkman of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Other animals on-site include a stable full of horses and Cowboy the tortoise, who is about the size of a lawnmower and whose head protrudes from what looks like a Venus flytrap made of bone.

— Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of protrudes

Verb

This tender novel of intimacy and its risks begins in Boston in 1969, as Eve, a dancer, commences an affair with a colleague—an indiscretion that spurs her husband, a journalist named Gabe, to cheat, too.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The Jet Set to the Beekman package commences with a Blade helicopter flight to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan (from eligible departure points), where a house car will then take you to the Beekman’s West Turret penthouse.

— Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of commences

Verb

The rule also establishes new design requirements, including a tracking barcode for mail-in ballot envelopes that states must create and submit to the USPS for approval.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Assembly Bill 1633 establishes the Private Detention Facility Tax Law, which would impose an annual 25% tax on operators of private detention centers.

— Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of establishes

Browse Nearby Words

startling

starts

star turn

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Starts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starts. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of starts

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes