to start with

7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for to start with, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Phrase — Used to introduce the first item in a series of points, criticisms or reasons.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

initially originally

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

firstly

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

first of all for a start to begin with at first

Synonyms by Meaning

1. phrase

Used to introduce the first item in a series of points, criticisms or reasons.

“To start with, nobody told us the venue had changed.”

first of all for a start to begin with firstly

2. phrase

At the beginning; in the initial period, before things developed differently.

“We only planned to stay a week to start with.”

initially at first originally

Opposites

eventually in the end afterwards

How to Use To Start With

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

to start with, there was only meant to be temporary to start with wasn't working to start with

Neutral to informal. As a list marker it often signals that a complaint is being built up point by point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between "to start with" and "to begin with"?

They mean the same thing and can be swapped freely. "To start with" is a shade more informal and more common in speech, while "to begin with" turns up more often in writing.

Is "to start with" formal?

It is neutral and safe in most writing, including business email. In very formal or academic prose, "firstly" or "in the first instance" would be a closer fit.

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eventually originally initially afterwards firstly first of all in the end to begin with

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