To Start Synonyms

Question 1

Start - verb
/stɑːrt/

Answer 1

To begin or set out to do something.

Usage: “Start” is a versatile term used to indicate the beginning of an action, event, or process.

to begin doing something:
- [ + -ing verb ] They started building the house in January.
- [ + to infinitive ] I’d just started to write a letter when the phone rang.

If a business or other organization starts, or if someone starts one, it is created and starts to operate:
- She started her own software company.

to begin to happen or to make something begin to happen:
A new series about wildlife has started on Monday nights.

to begin a set of activities with the thing or person mentioned:
- start with The speaker started with a description of her journey to China.
- Give me your answers one by one, starting with Lucy.
- start by You could start by weeding the flowerbeds.
-start something as something He started his working life as an engineer but later became a teacher.

* get started*

to begin:
- When can we get started?

start afresh

to begin to live in a different way or do things differently:
- A new house gives you the chance to start afresh.

start something

to begin an argument or a fight:

• You could tell the guy wanted to start something, so we just walked away.

to start with

at the beginning, or as the first of several things:
- We only knew two people in Montreal to start with, but we soon made friends.

Question 2

begin - verb
/bɪˈɡɪn/

Answer 2

Usage: Very similar to “start” but can sometimes imply the first step in a sequence or process.

Biegin and start effectively communicate the same thing, but “begin” might be slightly more suited to formal or traditional events like concerts, ceremonies, or official gatherings.

to start to happen or exist:
- The meeting began promisingly, but then things started to go wrong.

to start to do something:
- [ + -ing verb ] Jane has just begun learning to drive.
- [ + to infinitive ] After waiting for half an hour she was beginning to get angry.

to have something as the first part:
- The word “cat” begins with the letter “c”.

Question 3

Commence - verb
/kəˈmens/

Answer 3

Usage: A more formal synonym for “start,” often used in official or ceremonial contexts.

A more formal synonym for “start,” often used in official or ceremonial contexts.
- The conference will commence with a speech from the keynote speaker.
- Shall we let the meeting commence?
- [ + -ing verb ] Unfortunately, he commenced speaking before all the guests had finished eating.

Question 4

Initiate - verb
/ɪˈnɪʃ.i.eɪt/

Answer 4

Usage: Often used in contexts where an action or process is intentionally set in motion, especially the start of something important or official.

To cause something to begin.
-They initiated the project with a planning meeting.

Question 5

Launch - verb
/lɑːntʃ/

Answer 5

To start or set in motion.

Usage: Often used when starting something significant, like a project, campaign, or product. Implies a strong and active beginning.

• The company is set to launch its new product line next month.
• The programme was launched a year ago.

to send something out, such as a new ship into the water or a spacecraft into space:
- to launch a missile

Question 6

embark on/upon something - phrasal verb with embark verb [ I ] formal
/ɪmˈbɑːrk/

Answer 6

to start or begin a journey, venture, or new activity.

Usage: Often used in the context of starting something new that is significant, adventurous, or challenging.

• She embarked on a journey around the world.
• We’re embarking upon a new project later this year.
• After years of preparation, she finally embarked on her career as a lawyer.

Question 7

Kick off - phrasal verb with kick verb
/kɪk/

Answer 7

to begin or start, especially an event or process.

*Usage: Informal and energetic, often used in the context of starting events, *

• ## The festival will kick off with a parade.