OUTSET Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

outset

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌset

Definition of outset

as in beginning

the point at which something begins I wish you'd mentioned this problem at the outset

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 outset This calls for rapid revocation capabilities, continuous governance and behavioral monitoring, dynamic least-privilege authorization, developer-centric controls that incorporate security from the outset, and visibility into every agent. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Treasury previously announced that State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) would be the default investment at the outset. — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 From the outset, the show immerses audiences in 1930s New York, and while set in a noir world, there’s a modern aspect to it too. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026 From the outset, the WSL and developer SI wanted to fix the player retention problem. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outset

Noun

That kind of visceral reaction has been baked into Paranormal Activity from the beginning.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The beginning of the advertisement focuses on Miestowski reaching for the driver in a golf bag.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of beginning

Noun

To stay in the chase, the Twins desperately need collective performances such as Sunday’s when Zebby Matthews provided a dominant start and the lineup pieced together enough offense to avoid a sweep at the hands of Chicago.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
In 2024, when Malik Nabers’ first-round selection changed the depth chart, Slayton memorably caught only 10 total passes for 122 yards in the Giants’ first four games during a 1-3 start.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of start

Noun

After each meeting, a colleague would ask if there had been any progress citing the days, months and finally years since the committee’s inception.

— Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The Milford Public Library serves both village and township residents and maintains special collections on autism, genealogy and the Civil War, as well as microfilmed editions of the Milford Times dating to the newspaper’s inception.

— Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of inception

Noun

Unlike many conditions catalogued under the umbrella term of dementia, childhood dementias are often caused by mutations in a single gene that happen to trigger similar mechanisms responsible for adult-onset neurodegeneration.

— Mike McRae August 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
That isolation was compounded because he was diagnosed just as the country locked down at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bullock said.

— Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of onset

Noun

With the acclaim came the awards, the invitations to give commencement speeches, the honorary degrees, the chance to perform before thousands of fans at big-time sports events.

— Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026
In a 1991 commencement speech at Georgia Tech, Brian Dyson told students to imagine life as a game of juggling five balls — work, family, health, friends and spirit.

— Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of commencement

Browse Nearby Words

outs

outset

outsets

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Outset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outset. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of outset

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

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

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes