jump-start

verb

ˈjəmp-ˈstärt How to pronounce jump-start (audio)
Definition of jump-startnext
as in to stimulate
to give life, vigor, or spirit to an intentionally provocative comment that was supposed to jump-start the discussion

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 jump-start First-time offensive coordinator Sean Mannion must find a way to jump-start an often stagnant offense that could be missing as many as six Week 1 starters. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2026 The Horned Frogs would love to deliver another frustrating defeat to its rivals, while also jump-starting their late season push. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 But Chicago still needs better zoning and permitting to jump-start development, such as allowing multifamily buildings on smaller-sized lots. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 Start hot, then lower the heat This recipe starts the oven hot to jump-start browning, then lowers the temperature to gently cook the turkey through. — Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jump-start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jump-start
stimulate
Verb
  • The move stimulated the private sector and accelerated the deployment of EV infrastructure, Vesser said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Issagholyan built out a 24-session plan to course-correct, involving twice weekly visits in which I would be chiropractically adjusted, my jaw cold-lasered to promote cellular regeneration and my back muscles stimulated by electrodes.
    — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulate

Browse Nearby Words

jumps ship
jump-start
jump-started
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jump-start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jump-start. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All