Synonym Chooser

How is the word commence different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of commence are begin, inaugurate, initiate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

How does the word begin relate to other synonyms for commence?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

Where would inaugurate be a reasonable alternative to commence?

The words inaugurate and commence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When is initiate a more appropriate choice than commence?

In some situations, the words initiate and commence are roughly equivalent. However, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

When could start be used to replace commence?

The synonyms start and commence are sometimes interchangeable, but start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How do usher in and inaugurate relate to one another, in the sense of commence?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of commence As the speed rounds commenced, Meri first met with a man named Lee. Dory Jackson, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 The Bank of Japan has commenced with tapering, incrementally selling off its huge investments in ETFs that primed the stock market under Abe, and is signaling incremental interest rate increases. Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025 Building on the site commenced in the 13th century under the instruction of Ibn al-Ahmar, the first member of the Nasrid family to be emir of Granada, and the sprawling compound was used by the emirs until Isabella and Ferdinand conquered the city in 1492. Fiona Mozley, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 The case is scheduled to be heard in London’s High Court, commencing on October 28. Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • That’s where the adjustments will begin for the Mercury as the series flips back to Phoenix for Wednesday’s Game 3.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • If a permit is granted, Conway estimated construction on the plant could begin in the early 2030s, and the plant could come online in 2038 or 2039.
    Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2025
  • During his own speech, Sean asked Leaper to name KU’s backfield that started the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The fruit originated in temperate regions of the world like Europe and Asia, where wild species were cultivated thousands of years ago.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Crucially for The Traitors distributor All3Media International, the show, which was originated in the Netherlands and made there on a modest budget, registered significant moments on both sides of the pond.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And with those sightings arose… The Life of an AI Theory.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The same concern arises with jewelry, which is also a traditional way of holding gold.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The talks may not result in a final deal, but at present Coinbase appears to have the inside track over Mastercard.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Her son, now 6, in a Spiderman shirt and a blue cast from a playground accident, appeared next.
    Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

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