Rhyming is an essential tool in language. Whether you’re a poet, lyricist, creative writer, or simply a lover of wordplay, rhymes offer rhythm, resonance, and richness to your writing. One of the more dynamic words to rhyme with is “start.”
It’s an action-oriented word, evocative of beginnings, ambition, and momentum. But finding the right rhymes—especially ones that carry the same emotional weight—can be tricky.
In this post, we’ll dive into the various words that rhyme with “start”, breaking them down into perfect rhymes and slant rhymes, and further organizing them by syllables. This list is not only comprehensive but also designed to inspire your next creative project.
1. Perfect Rhymes With Start
Perfect rhymes are words that sound exactly like each other from the final stressed vowel to the end of the word. With “start,” that includes words that end in the “-art” sound. Let’s break these down into syllables to help you match tone and rhythm in your writing.
One-Syllable Perfect Rhymes
These are the most straightforward and punchy. They’re especially effective in short-form poetry, hip-hop, and advertising slogans.
- Cart – A vehicle used to transport goods; can be metaphorical (e.g., “push the cart of dreams”).
- Dart – A projectile or a quick movement; evokes speed or danger.
- Heart – Though technically a perfect rhyme depending on dialect, it also adds emotional weight.
- Part – Suggests division or sharing; extremely flexible in metaphor.
- Tart – Can mean sharp (in taste or tone), or a small pastry—useful in humorous or critical contexts.
- Mart – Short for market; rarely used, but poetic in the right context.
- Chart – Suggests measurement, ranking, or structure—great for analytical or societal themes.
- Art – Pure poetic gold. This one connects “start” with the very essence of creativity.
- Smart – Intelligence or fashion; carries both praise and sarcasm depending on tone.
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Two-Syllable Perfect Rhymes
These are slightly less common but are useful when you want to maintain rhythm in a longer line.
- Restart – Implies a new beginning, often with lessons learned.
- Depart – Elegant, poetic word for leaving; great for themes of travel or separation.
- Impart – To give or share knowledge or wisdom.
- Outsmart – Conveys cunning and strategy—excellent for narrative-driven pieces.
- Upstart – Often used to describe someone new and ambitious; can be positive or pejorative.
- Kickstart – Modern and energetic; great for marketing or motivation-related content.
- Jumpstart – Similar to “kickstart,” often used in the context of quick rejuvenation.
Three-Syllable Perfect Rhymes
These are the rarest and most niche, but they create unique rhythms and add sophistication.
- Counterpart – A person or thing closely resembling another; ideal for themes of duality or reflection.
- Body part – A more literal rhyme; can be used for humor or biological references.
- False start – Excellent for sports metaphors or setbacks in life.
2. Slant Rhymes With Start
While perfect rhymes provide clarity and sharpness, slant rhymes—also called near rhymes or half rhymes—offer subtlety and creative flexibility. These words share similar but not identical sounds, which can make your writing more nuanced and layered.
Slant rhymes are often used in modern poetry and music, particularly in genres like indie rock, folk, and spoken word.
Common Slant Rhymes
These words are commonly accepted as near rhymes with “start” due to shared consonants, vowel sounds, or both.
- Stirred – Evokes emotional movement; metaphorical richness.
- Storm – While the rhyme is loose, it shares strength and urgency.
- Stern – A slant rhyme that can imply authority or seriousness.
- Hard – A near rhyme that adds intensity and challenge to a line.
- Scarred – Rich in emotional and visual imagery.
- Smart – Depending on accent and cadence, this can serve as both perfect and slant.
- Sword – Symbolic and historical; shares the “s” and hard consonant sounds.
- Hurt – Powerful slant rhyme with emotional depth.
- Fart – Crude but comical; used with intention in comedic or satirical poetry.
- Chartreuse – A stretch, but musically works in creative, rhythmic rhymes.
Creative or Poetic Slant Rhymes
These are more abstract, often stretching the boundaries of rhyme. They’re excellent for experimental writing.
- Apart – Shares the “art” ending; conceptually related to “start” as its opposite.
- Alert – Similar rhythm and ending consonants.
- Heartless – Evokes emotion and can connect to “start” through transformation.
- Smartphone – In a modern poem or rap, can be cleverly paired using internal rhymes.
- Departed – Brings a past tense to themes of beginnings.
- Remarked – Plays with sound repetition and narrative continuity.
- Charted – Works particularly well when referencing progress or navigation.
- Disarmed – Can suggest emotional vulnerability or conflict.
Using Rhymes With "Start" in Creative Writing
In Poetry
The word "start" is powerful in poetry because of its emotional and motivational undertones. Rhymes like “heart,” “art,” and “part” can turn a poem into a moving piece about beginnings, personal growth, or artistic journey.
Example:
I took the brush and made my mark,
A single stroke to light the dark.
With trembling hands and open heart,
I dared today to make a start.
In Songwriting
"Start" fits beautifully into many song genres—pop, rock, hip-hop, or country. Slant rhymes like “hard,” “hurt,” or “scarred” are especially useful in emotional ballads.
Example:
Every road I've walked alone,
Led me back to where we’d grown.
I never meant to fall apart,
Just needed space to find my start.
In Storytelling or Branding
If you’re naming a product, service, or campaign, perfect and slant rhymes with “start” can make your messaging memorable:
- "SmartStart" – For educational programs or children’s services.
- "Heart to Start" – Health initiatives or motivational campaigns.
- "Kickstart the Chart" – For data-driven tools or startup launches.
- "Art & Start" – Great for creative workshops.
Tips for Using Rhymes Effectively
- Don’t Force It – If a rhyme sounds unnatural, it can break the flow. Choose rhymes that feel organic to your message.
- Use Slant Rhymes for Depth – They allow for more nuance and can add subtle emotional shades to your work.
- Mind the Tone – Rhymes like “fart” or “mart” might introduce comedy, while “heart” or “depart” add solemnity.
- Match the Meter – Especially in poetry and songwriting, the rhythm (iambic, trochaic, etc.) matters as much as the rhyme.
3. Near Rhymes & Close Sounding Words
Not all rhymes need to be perfect to be powerful. In fact, near rhymes—also known as close rhymes, imperfect rhymes, or approximate rhymes—can offer subtlety, emotional resonance, or clever twists in tone. These are especially popular in modern poetry and music because they sound natural, flexible, and conversational.
Words With Similar Endings
These words may share similar ending consonants or vowels, even if they don’t match perfectly in sound.
- Burst
- Hurt
- First
- Court
- Sort
- Chart
- Dart
- Startled
- Departed
- Guard
These endings resemble “start” through shared consonant blends like “-rt” or vowel structures that evoke similar auditory tones.
Words That Almost Rhyme
“Almost rhymes” fall between slant rhymes and true near rhymes. They might stretch sound a bit more, but they're often surprisingly effective when delivered with strong rhythm or emotion.
- Earth – Though it doesn’t sound like “start” exactly, in some poetic meters it can serve as a near rhyme.
- Smartly – Adds a suffix but retains the “smart” core.
- Alarmed – Doesn't rhyme exactly, but in fast-paced lyrical use, it works.
- Apart – Echoes the final "art" sound.
- Charted – Adds past-tense rhythm to rhyme with "started."
Using these words gives your writing a more conversational, free-flowing feel. These are also excellent in spoken word and freestyle performance.
4. Rhyming Words by Syllable Count
Rhythm and pacing are just as important as rhyme. One way to enhance rhythm is by choosing words based on syllable count, which helps maintain consistency in meter, especially in poetry, songwriting, or speech writing.
One-Syllable Words That Rhyme With Start
One-syllable rhymes are snappy and bold. They give your writing a punchy, energetic beat.
- Cart
- Dart
- Heart
- Part
- Mart
- Art
- Smart
- Tart
- Chart
- Fart
These are excellent for quick rhymes in limericks, choruses, or catchphrases.
Example:
He made a chart to play his part,
A simple move—a work of art.
Two-Syllable Words That Rhyme With Start
Two-syllable rhymes allow for more lyrical variation while keeping rhythm manageable.
- Restart
- Kickstart
- Depart
- Impart
- Outsmart
- Jumpstart
- Upstart
- Flowchart
These are great in song bridges or narrative poems, where pacing shifts are needed.
Example:
I had to kickstart this broken heart,
A single beat to do my part.
Three-Syllable Words That Rhyme With Start
These offer complex rhythm patterns and are ideal for more sophisticated poetic forms or musical verses.
- Counterpart
- Body part
- False start
- Take to heart
- State-of-the-art
Example:
He stood beside his counterpart,
Two rebels rising, fierce from start.
5. Rhyming Examples in Sentences or Poems
It’s one thing to list rhymes, but seeing them in action helps visualize how they function in actual writing. Below are examples of rhyming sentences and short poems to inspire you.
Simple Rhyming Sentences
These straightforward lines show how rhyme can support meaning and emotion.
- She followed the map and found her part.
- He drew with passion and called it art.
- I aimed my dreams like a dart.
- We made a vow to never part.
- That little push gave me the start.
Rhymes Used in Poems or Lyrics
These examples demonstrate creative applications of rhymes with “start,” from romantic verses to motivational lyrics.
Poem Example – Motivational
Rise from the ashes, claim your chart,
Don’t fear the dark, ignite your heart.
Let every failure be your art—
A masterpiece from every start.
Poem Example – Romantic
She walked away and broke my heart,
But love’s a game where no one’s smart.
I paint her name with words of art,
Hoping someday we’ll restart.
Lyric Snippet – Energetic
Kickstart the day, no time to delay,
I’ve got a fire and something to say.
My passion’s loud, my vision’s sharp,
I’m moving fast—igniting the spark.
6. FAQs About Rhyming With Start
What is a perfect rhyme for "start"?
A perfect rhyme matches the stressed vowel and all subsequent sounds exactly. Perfect rhymes for start include:
- Cart
- Dart
- Heart
- Part
- Smart
- Art
- Chart
- Tart
These words echo the "-art" sound at the end of "start" and are interchangeable in many poetic and musical contexts.
What’s the difference between perfect and slant rhymes?
The difference lies in sound precision:
| Type | Definition | Example |
| Perfect Rhyme | Exact match from the stressed vowel onward | start / chart |
| Slant Rhyme | Similar but not identical sounds; also called half or near rhymes | start / hurt, start / sort |
Perfect rhymes are crisp and recognizable. Slant rhymes, on the other hand, offer creative freedom, often producing more emotional or layered effects.
Can I use near rhymes in poems or songs?
Absolutely! In fact, near rhymes are widely used in modern music and poetry. They help maintain the natural flow of speech and avoid the rigidity that perfect rhymes sometimes cause. Near rhymes also:
- Add subtlety and emotional depth
- Avoid cliché rhyme pairs
- Offer greater word variety
Many professional songwriters and poets prefer slant or near rhymes for precisely these reasons.
Example in lyrics:
“They said I’d fall apart,
But I held on with all my heart.”
Here, “apart” and “heart” are not a perfect rhyme, but they resonate beautifully.
Final Thoughts
The word “start” is versatile and powerful. Whether you’re writing poetry, songs, or creative copy, choosing the right rhyme can significantly impact your tone and meaning. Here's a quick recap:
- Perfect rhymes give clarity and impact.
- Slant and near rhymes offer creativity and emotional subtlety.
- Choosing by syllable count helps maintain rhythm.
- Context is everything: A rhyme that works in a romantic poem might feel out of place in a high-energy rap verse.
Ultimately, the best rhyme is the one that supports your message. So don’t be afraid to experiment—the perfect rhyme is just the start.
Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.
