STARTING (UP) Synonyms: 577 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 4

verb (1)

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 4

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

starting

3 of 4

adjective

as in initial

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

starting

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of start

as in jumping

to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in establishing

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 activating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commencing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in protruding

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in launching

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

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

Those schools were added after the Pac-12 started to unravel with the departures of UCLA and USC to the Big Ten. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 The Chicago Network was initially started by nine female executives in 1979 as a support system for women running organizations across all sectors of the city, Doughty said. — Jane Miller, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Noun

Manchester United have made yet another slow start to the Premier League season, winning just one game from the seven played so far. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026 The auction was a strong start to Sotheby’s Paris sales, which continue Friday with auctions devoted to modern art and Surrealism. — Daniel Cassady For Artnews, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Stewart rejoined teammates this week and was in the starting lineup Saturday. — ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026 The Hawks continue to test out different lineups, moving Aaron Wiggins into the starting lineup in place of Jalen Johnson (rest). — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

So said Kerstin Dorst, who joined Hugo Boss as senior vice president of the womenswear business unit in January and is resetting the category starting with its fall 2027 offering. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026 Harvard Health’s advice on coping with holiday grief suggests adjusting celebrations or starting new rituals when the old ones feel too heavy. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start

Recent Examples of Synonyms for start

Verb

Joby Aviation has begun piloted electric air taxi flights across Florida, testing how the aircraft could operate between airports and other locations as the state works toward building a network for future aerial transportation.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
The Heat’s starters outscored the Pacers by 20 points in 13 minutes together, including an 18-4 run to begin the second half.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of begin

Verb

When the groping soon commenced, the victim started recording with his phone.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Our reality is Swift’s nightmare of statistics and algorithms; mechanization and industrialization as commenced without any concern for the vagaries of the beating human heart.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of commence

Verb

Petersen’s research established the concept of mild cognitive impairment, which lies between healthy cognitive aging and dementia.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Beyond payment speed, Mastercard is also looking to incorporate blockchain and identity data to establish the same level of trust expected across other payment systems, Driver said.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

Under the change, those ceilings will jump to $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for families.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
At Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Northwest Austin, the number of burglaries reported within 300 feet of the park more than quadrupled from 2024 to 2025, jumping from 15 to 68.

— Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of jump

Verb

Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.

— Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
The face is a glossy black plastic with the exterior lenses slightly protruding, keeping the front from looking like a single flat surface.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of protrude

Noun

Clocks are advanced ahead one hour at the beginning of daylight saving time, in March, and clocks are moved back one hour in November when returning to standard time.

— Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
The married owners—Ingrid Rivas, an agronomist, and Radamés Arroyo, an engineer—first began developing the 25-acre property by cultivating Tahiti limes, and the name Hacienda Verde Tahití later became a tribute to those agricultural beginnings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginning

Verb

So a quick look at where an app supposedly originated may not tell the whole story.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Two flights from the United States arrived in Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport on Friday as well, originating from Washington Dulles International Airport.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of originate

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“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of start

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Synonyms of start

verb (1)

noun

adjective

verb (2)

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Phrases Containing start

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