START Synonyms: 306 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'start' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin , commence , inaugurate , initiate , and usher in . While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start , opposed to stop , applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages. // the work started slowly

Q: How is 'begin' related to other words for 'start'?

Begin , start , and commence are often interchangeable, with begin , opposed to end , being the most general. // begin a trip // began dancing

Q: How does the word 'commence' relate to other synonyms for 'start'?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start . // commence firing // commenced a conversation

Q: When could 'inaugurate' be used to replace 'start'?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance. // the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

Q: In what contexts can 'initiate' take the place of 'start'?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue. // initiated diplomatic contacts

Q: How are the words 'usher in' and 'inaugurate' related as synonyms of 'start'?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate . // ushered in a period of economic decline

start 1 of 2

verb

ˈstärt

Definition of start

as in to begin

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to commence

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

as in to establish

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 to activate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to protrude

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

start

2 of 2

noun

as in beginning

the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip

began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing

commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

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

To improve chances of a timely reply, patients should start messages by greeting their doctor by name, ideally including both first and last names. — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 And then Joe Milton started putting it together and had two outstanding preseason games. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

Let’s examine players off to great starts to the high school football season. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Ahead of the official start of the US Open, a flurry of fetes took place across New York City. — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start

Recent Examples of Synonyms for start

Verb

The administration did cripple Iran's nuclear program in 2025 with bombing strikes on various facilities, but since this war began, there's been no effective action taken against its nuclear program.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Since Tiffany’s attacks began, Crowley has moved in Hong’s general direction, emphasizing his requirements—using exclusively renewable energy to power new data centers, building them with union labor—for developers to receive the tax breaks.

— Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of begin

Verb

The game commenced with four unanswered scores from Jenks and sloppy play from Southlake Carroll that included a handful of early penalties, messy substitutions and a lack of rhythm.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of commence

Verb

Its immediate goal is to establish pilot-scale production while continuing to develop partnerships across the fusion and advanced nuclear industries.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Once an account is established, parents, guardians, grandparents and others can also contribute up to $5,000 per year until the year before the beneficiary turns 18.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

Several other brands have activated during high-stakes competitions and inked their own collaborations that tap into the convergence of beauty and sports this year.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Ars Video When activated, Motion Assist adds small dots around the edges of your phone screen over top of the content.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of activate

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 protrude

Verb

Fonseca Porto Siroco Extra Dry White Port Crisp as a new dollar bill with delicate floral and bitter notes, this bottling takes its name from the Mediterranean wind that originates in North Africa.

— Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Curry originated the iconic role in the first production of Rocky Horror staged at London’s Royal Court Theatre.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of originate

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

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Synonyms of start

verb

noun

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Phrases Containing start

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

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

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

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