1
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
Relevance
2
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
3
as in activating
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commencing
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
as in beginning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of starting
Li Cohen, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025
Murphy is term-limited, so the open-seat contest has attracted a cornucopia of candidates, starting with a crowded field of Democratic aspirants.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Entering the matchup, the Wolves starting five had played 807 possessions of non-garbage time minutes, according to Cleaning The Glass.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Either this starting unit has to click very soon or Finch must make a change to address the sluggishness.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Perhaps Finch is leaning on a couple of recent games against high-caliber competition for optimism about his starting five.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Pickett is active but not starting, meaning Tanner McKee gets an opportunity to make his first NFL start.
—Adam Gretz, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Paris Saint-Germain is keeping an eye on the future of a starting FC Barcelona star as the contract of one of its own players runs down according to Relevo, which cited anonymous sources.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Reports surfaced last week that starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor would miss the game; Proctor dressed at Friday’s practice but was a limited participant during the media viewing period.
—Austin Meek, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The New Year is starting with a fresh warning for those who work with animals in Texas.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025
Murphy is term-limited, so the open-seat contest has attracted a cornucopia of candidates, starting with a crowded field of Democratic aspirants.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Entering the matchup, the Wolves starting five had played 807 possessions of non-garbage time minutes, according to Cleaning The Glass.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Either this starting unit has to click very soon or Finch must make a change to address the sluggishness.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Perhaps Finch is leaning on a couple of recent games against high-caliber competition for optimism about his starting five.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Pickett is active but not starting, meaning Tanner McKee gets an opportunity to make his first NFL start.
—Adam Gretz, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Paris Saint-Germain is keeping an eye on the future of a starting FC Barcelona star as the contract of one of its own players runs down according to Relevo, which cited anonymous sources.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Reports surfaced last week that starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor would miss the game; Proctor dressed at Friday’s practice but was a limited participant during the media viewing period.
—Austin Meek, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starting
Verb
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On Sunday, McIlroy blew up for a double bogey on the first hole before jumping out to a massive lead.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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By jumping to agentic, Amazon can make home assistants that are capable and conversational like ChatGPT but also have a framework for communicating and controlling external services, as Alexa and Siri can.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To achieve military domination, you'll be tasked with forcefully establishing your Ideology and your empire around the globe.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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To increase your chances of getting into REM on time, experts recommended establishing a healthy overall sleep routine.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Health,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The existing podium of the nearby Palace of Youth has been extended to merge with the theater’s base, further enhancing connectivity and activating the area as a vibrant public space.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
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Engaging in conversations about race requires activating System 2—the slower, more intentional way of thinking—to disrupt those patterns and build deeper awareness.—
Ashley B. Stewart,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Russian Space Agency also has launched its share of space tourists, beginning with a California financier in 2001.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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In at least one way, Bonhoeffer was right — another part of his life was just beginning.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While tending to their garden this fall, homeowners in upstate New York spotted what appeared to be two giant teeth protruding from the soil, partially concealed by plant fronds.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
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According to the news release, the mastodon jaw was found protruding from the topsoil, which caught the homeowner's attention.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That makes the the initial 0.5% of income donated to charity not deductible.—
Bruce Brumberg,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Last-minute amendments watered down initial requirements to produce annual impact assessments and mitigate algorithmic discrimination in an attempt to make the bill more palatable to the governor.—
Angela Eichhorst,
Hartford Courant,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Since founding the lifestyle brand Simplified in 2008, the mother of three has amassed over 30,000 followers on Substack and nearly 300,000 on Instagram.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
10 Apr. 2025
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Women deserve their own places at the top, and if that means more women are founding companies, the more, the merrier.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, March 19, the couple filmed an Instagram Reel poking fun at their recent red carpet interview with Extra at the grand re-opening of Planet Hollywood in NYC on Tuesday, March 11.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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Generally, a plant whose roots are poking out will be completely root-bound.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Starting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starting. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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