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Showing results for start the ball rolling. Search instead for starting+the+ball+rolling.

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.

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

Ian Shirley, the editor of Record Collector "Rare Record Price Guide," described the record as a "Holy Grail" item that helped Epstein "to start the ball rolling to musical world domination."

From US News • Feb. 26, 2016

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

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