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Definitions

start out

VERB
depart
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon blast off disappear escape evacuate exit go pull out quit remove retire vacate withdraw
STRONG
abdicate absent decamp desert emigrate migrate part perish scram secede split start tergiversate troop vanish
WEAK
beat it cut and run cut out get away git go away go forth hit the bricks hit the road hit the trail make a break march out move on move out sally forth say goodbye set forth shove off slip away take leave
Antonyms
STRONGEST
arrive come in continue enter fill occupy persevere remain stay
STRONG
combine come join
WEAK
keep to linger wait
VERB
set sail
Synonyms
WEAK
dive in go ahead set out
VERB
shove off
Synonyms
WEAK
blow clear out depart exit get off go go away pull out push off quit run along take off vamoose
Antonyms
WEAK
arrive come
VERB
strike out
Synonyms
WEAK
bear begin get under way head initiate light out make set out start take off
Antonyms
WEAK
remain stay

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.

Ambitious city women start out thinking they’re going to grab the world by the tail, pull it down and put it in their pocket.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

As a member of Gen Z, I have had the option of reading books digitally for most of my life—and I didn’t initially start out as a physical-book purist.

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2026

Muñoz, a 60-year-old Spanish-U.S. dual national, didn’t start out as an auto-industry man.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

The new study shows that dark matter does not necessarily need to start out cold.

From Science Daily • Jan. 15, 2026

She didn’t start out with these wholesale fictions.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

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