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 And Bichette is a key piece of the puzzle -- which only adds intrigue to his free agency sweepstakes that will commence as soon as the World Series is over. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 After public outcry earlier this month, a work crew had finally been dispatched to restore it and was laying bricks as anniversary events commenced. Jack Brook, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025 Filming will commence in spring 2026 across Lazio and Rome. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 Needless to say, the two periods couldn’t be more aligned at this stage – both times, explosive rallies commenced after the ETF logged monstrous pivots, which came after preceding, historic volatility. Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • Because, immediately, journeyman Jones threw five passes on the first five plays to began attacking the NFL’s weakest starting cornerbacks — a situation too obvious for the club to have gone the entire offseason not doing enough to remedy.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To counter the explosive projectiles, Russian tank crews began mounting homemade cages above their turrets to cushion the tanks from blasts.
    Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His convictions in the county date back almost 40 years, starting with a burglary in 1986.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • What started as a one-off Eventbrite invitation to a pop-up called Mic Drop Workshop has, seven years later, grown into the leading pipeline of women speakers ready for the stage; and the first stop for event planners eager to bring more female voices to the mic.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There’s a lot of beauty and thought that actually originated here.
    Vogue Runway, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The fire is thought to have originated from natural causes.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Confusion arose, however, after Domingo suggested she and her brother, Prince, were directly involved in the project.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • There isn’t an active market, like there is for shares in public companies, and issues have arisen in other sports.
    Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Diets rich in vitamin D and iron appeared to help combat alopecia and hair loss.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Jalen Carter was ejected from the Eagles’ season opener after appearing to spit at Dak Prescott.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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