start the ball rolling

VERB

break the ice

Synonyms

WEAK

be friendly and talkative break ground cut the first turf get one's feet wet lay the first stone lead off lead the way make a start oil the works open the way pave the way set at ease smooth the path socialize start take the plunge

VERB

cause

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin create generate induce lead to make precipitate produce provoke

STRONG

brainstorm breed compel effect elicit engender evoke hatch incite introduce kickoff kindle let motivate muster occasion open originate revert secure

WEAK

be at the bottom of break in break the ice bring to pass come out with cook up dream up fire up get things rolling give rise to make up result in sow the seeds think up work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

destroy discourage end halt prevent ruin stop

STRONG

block close cover delay deter finish hide hinder impede keep obstruct repress

VERB

commence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin inaugurate initiate launch take up

STRONG

arise open originate

WEAK

come into being come into existence embark on enter upon get cracking get going get one's feet wet get show on road hit the ground running jump into kick off lead off tear into

Antonyms

STRONGEST

close complete conclude end finish stop

WEAK

cease

VERB

found

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin construct create erect establish form initiate launch organize plant raise settle start

STRONG

commence constitute endow fashion fix inaugurate institute originate

WEAK

get going ring in settle up start up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

break complete conclude confuse demolish destroy die disestablish disorder disorganize end finish ignore neglect raze ruin stop unsettle upset

STRONG

cease

VERB

open

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commence convene inaugurate initiate launch meet start

STRONG

bow embark jump sit

WEAK

begin business get things rolling kick off raise the curtain ring in set in motion set up shop

Antonyms

STRONGEST

adjourn cancel cease close complete conclude end finish ignore stop

WEAK

block bury cover exclude hide hinder shut

VERB

tackle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin deal with engage in take on try undertake work on

STRONG

accept attack attempt essay launch

WEAK

apply oneself bang away at come to grips with devote oneself to embark upon give a try give a whirl go for it make a run at pitch into set about square off take a shot at take in hand take on try on for size turn one's hand to turn to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abstain complete conclude end finish

STRONG

be lazy

WEAK

avoid dodge forget idle neglect

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.

See Examples For:

start the ball rolling

Who will start the ball rolling on capturing that rain so that the storage effect of snow and ice can be replaced?

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 26, 2024

Therefore, they only need a few people to respond in order to start the ball rolling.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2023

JPMorgan and Citigroup Inc C.N will start the ball rolling on the third-quarter earnings season on Oct.

From Reuters ● Oct. 9, 2020

We can only hope that it doesn’t take another 30 years for a critical mass of interest to build and burst the dam, inspiring somebody to start the ball rolling on part three.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 30, 2020

Besides, you can always start the ball rolling by asking for a light, which I have to do anyway when the wind is up.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

start the ball rolling

Example Sentences

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Related Words