Tomatoes may be served hot or cold, as a starter or as a side dish.
Source: tatoeba (1250814)
Starter
/ˈstɑɹ.tɚ/
Synonyms for "starter" (76 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (16)
Noun(12 words)
appetizeraccessibleactivation energy inputantipastiantipastoantipastosappetiserbaseline classifierbeginnerbeginner portuguese vocabularycanapecanapé
Strong matches (22)
Noun(14 words)
canapéscrankdaily baseline activitydispatchereasyentrantfire starterfirestarterfirst coursefledgelingfledglingfrench entrefreshmanhors d'oeuvre
Adjective(2 words)
first lawfrench course
Related words (38)
Noun(23 words)
igniterignition deviceinitialinitiatinginitiatorinitiatorsmost introductoryneophytenewbienewcomeropeningopening a bookoriginatorpreparatoryprimaryprimingsimplesourdoughstarter motorstarting motor
Adjective(4 words)
Verb(1 words)
start engine
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: appetizer, accelerator, accessible, activation energy input, antipasti.
- Sentence evidence is available for starter, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "starter".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "starter"
Keep "starter" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "starter" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "starter", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "starter" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
18 entriesShowing 16 of 18 words.
More specific
15 entriesbasic workbookbeginner kitbruschettainitialintro guideopeningpioneersaladsoupspark plugstarter kitstarter motorstarter packstarter pistoltrailblazer
Collocations
10 entriesclassroom starterengine starterfire starterstarter activitystarter coursestarter kitstarter lessonstarter packstarter pistolstarter steps
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
1 entriesTranslations
8 translations across 3 languages.
Bulgarian
2 entries- стартер noun (someone who starts something)
- стартер noun (something that starts)
Finnish
4 entries- aloittaja noun (someone who starts something)
- aloitus noun (something that starts)
- käynnistin noun (something that starts)
- käynnistys noun (something that starts)
Māori
1 entries- kaitīmata noun (someone who starts something)
Sample sentences
14 total sentences available.
It's a great conversation starter.
Source: tatoeba (1486680)
It's a good conversation starter.
Source: tatoeba (2583068)
The President is using his executive authority to create “myRA” (my Retirement Account) – a new simple, safe and affordable “starter” retirement savings account that will be available through employers and help millions of Americans save for retirement.
Source: tatoeba (3651278)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "starter"?
Closest matches include appetizer, accelerator, accessible, activation energy input, antipasti.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "starter"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.