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Synonyms

starting

American  
[stahr-ting] / ˈstɑr tɪŋ /

adjective

  1. being a price, amount, player lineup, etc., fixed at the beginning.

    If you get hired, what will your starting salary be?

  2. setting out on a course of action; taking the first steps in an activity.

    The idea of the frosh pub mingle is for you to meet your fellow starting students.

  3. coming to life, becoming active, or beginning to move.

    She listened for the sound of a starting car, but all was still.


Etymology

Origin of starting

First recorded in 1810–15; start ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It urges each department, starting in 2026-27, to examine its “intellectual and methodological commitments” as well as the “range of scholarly approaches represented on its faculty” and “the diversity of perspectives in its curriculum.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Bengen decided to study how that same portfolio would perform for someone starting retirement on July 1, 2000, shortly after the Dot-com bubble began bursting.

From Barron's • Apr. 19, 2026

Matijevich suggests starting with an olive oil base when storing garlic, whether it’s peeled cloves, chopped, or minced.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

A welcoming cheer from Lakers fans during starting lineups serves as a reminder that James still has backup.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Outside the sun was starting to come out, and it was shining in the windows.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan