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

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as in founds

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in activates

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in begins

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in protrudes

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

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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

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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

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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

At this scale, the IDR process starts to affect the broader cost structure within the healthcare industry. — Christine Cooper, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Each song starts with Javkar’s words and the feeling or idea behind them. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 Maryland voters are ready to cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, as the early voting period starts this week. — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Some scalpers have already sold their devices on eBay for over $5,000 (the base model starts at $1,999). — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026 This year, the Steam Machine broke the $1,000 starting price, while the 2-year-old technology in the PlayStation 5 Pro is now going for $900, and the 6-year-old Xbox Series X now starts at $750. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 Often the bubble starts with some big potential change to the economy. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026 The best workplaces focus on leadership Trust starts with leaders. — Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Someone who came to watch a movie starts to understand how one might be made. — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Noun

The offense has been humming with Williams under center, averaging 31 points per game in his three starts. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 Trump’s outreach to Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin occurs in fits and starts and lacks a clear set of objectives. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 Peralta has been very good in the postseason and in most of his starts for the Rays. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Their other such starts ended in trips to the Stanley Cup Final — in 2018 under coach Gerard Gallant and in 2023 under Bruce Cassidy. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, who had 19 saves for his third shutout in his last six starts, wasn’t pressured often, and the few shots that did fly his way missed the net. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 In previous slow starts to games this season, various phases of MU’s attack (offense, defense, special teams) picked each other up. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 Before any physical fabrication starts, cell engineers use virtualization throughout the process. — John Voelcker, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026 With both teams off to strong starts, Tuesday’s contest presents the Panthers with an opportunity to close the gap and establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the conference title race. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for starts

Verb

When the lid loosens, LINE1 jumps around, DNA damage piles up and biological aging speeds up.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
While these price increases only translate to roughly a few dollars each month, the annual price jumps by a larger margin.

— Ryley Amond, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of jumps

Verb

The agency rejected the recommendation, saying that using cameras that automatically activate when an officer pulls their weapon or activates a car siren could risk privacy concerns.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
And a few are very highly specific, such as the protease that activates insulin, which only cuts near a very specific series of amino acids.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of activates

Verb

Its arrival begins the process of turning a military transport into a specialized communications platform designed for one of America’s most critical defense missions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
My latest stargazing obsession There's something special about stargazing during the blue hour — that brief transition when daylight drains from the sky and night's window begins to open.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of begins

Verb

Ping Ping, the male, has dark black circles around his eyes, while Fu Shuang, the female, has a forehead that protrudes a bit, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 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

Noun

Nubar is a Kurdish word symbolizing a fresh start and new beginnings, just like Mustafa's.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
One man who always has a lot to say is Josh Pate, the college football commentator who started from humble beginnings and is now one of the foremost voices in the sport.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginnings

Verb

The third book, A Court of Wings and Ruin, essentially wraps up Feyre’s story and establishes the storylines and characters that will propel the series forward.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2026
The constitutional amendment establishes a 40-hour weekly limit and two rest days without reducing pay.

— Mauricio Savarese, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of establishes

Browse Nearby Words

startling

starts

star turn

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Style

“Starts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starts. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of starts

verb

noun

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