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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Relevance

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

The trail starts as a wide paved path before transitioning after about a third of a mile to a dirt path of varying widths. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The location gives Hinterland a sense of place before the music even starts. — Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Accountability starts when a company agrees to redesign its product. — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 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 Kohler’s Dekoda, for example, starts flashing an LED light as urine hits the water. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 In Utah, training starts with the basics of how AI works to teach an understanding of AI bias, hallucinations, ethical concerns and data privacy needs, Winters said. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026 The Fiat Topolino starts at under $15,000 and is Fiat’s first foray into the micromobility segment. — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026 But as the weather starts to take a dip, windbreakers are positioned to pick up the proverbial sportswear baton while reasserting their position as the ultimate transitional jacket. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

In his seven starts as a rookie last season, Sanders threw seven touchdown passes and nine interceptions. — Nbc Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 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 DeGrom has surrendered 26 runs in the first inning over his 25 starts this season and 61 runs overall. — CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 What the second wave of shopping looks like Even with the earlier start, 57% of parents plan to shop for school supplies after school starts, MRI-Simmons found. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The left-hander had three straight wins to begin April but hasn’t in 21 starts since. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Bakwa also made eight Europa League appearances for the club, including three starts. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Here’s what pet owners should know when their dog’s rear starts raising questions, and what to keep an eye on before turning the other cheek. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 The two main elementary and middle school districts that feed into Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Homewood District 153 and Flossmoor District 161, also delayed their starts, Norrell said. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 19 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

Kohler’s Dekoda, one of the newest entries, activates with a fingerprint tap on a remote.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
This celestial season activates your expansive ninth house of adventure, education and exposure, inspiring you to take a leap of faith or perhaps even embark on a meaningful trip.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of activates

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

Noun

Humble beginnings Born on January 19, 1946 in a one-room cabin in Tennessee, Parton grew up the fourth of 12 children.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Kate O’Flynn has been a working actor for 20 years and, on this blinding August morning, is adjusting to the beginnings of her first-ever trip to Los Angeles.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of beginnings

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

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startling

starts

star turn

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Style

“Starts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starts. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of starts

verb

noun

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