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Definitions

start in on

VERB
attack
Synonyms
STRONG
tackle
WEAK
buckle down deal with dive into plunge into set to take up tear into
Antonyms
WEAK
aid be lazy defend protect resist retreat shelter shield slough off submit support surrender sustain withstand
VERB
beset
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bedevil beleaguer besiege embarrass invade overrun perplex surround
STRONG
aggress assail attack badger bug circle compass dog encircle enclose encompass entangle environ girdle harass harry hassle infest nag nudge pester ride ring storm strike
WEAK
drive up the wall fall on fall upon give a bad time give a hard time give one the business give the needle jump on one's case pick on put the squeeze on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clarify clear up explain leave alone please surrender
STRONG
aid assist exclude free help let go lose release support unloose

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.

Stop down for a 20-minute meditation break I’ll usually meditate for a second time before I start in on cooking or whatever the evening’s activities are going to be.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2024

Clemente said another batch of students will start in on the collection when classes resume this fall.

From Washington Times • Jun. 7, 2019

“But Kaitlyn, I’m reading 5,000 words of your diary right now. How can you even start in on this guy for lacking self-awareness?” you might say.

From The Verge • Sep. 1, 2017

By 6 to 8 months, the pamphlet predicted, the baby would be trained, and by 10 months, parents could start in on bladder training.

From Slate • Nov. 23, 2012

Go home and start in on the e-mail?—and that got me started thinking about e-mail, and all of a sudden I was really glad to have Dr. Minerva to go to.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.