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 But the strikes commenced by Israel early Friday marked the most serious escalation yet between Jerusalem and Tehran. Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025 The parade and celebration will commence at 6:30 p.m. ET, but guests will be allowed in as early as 2 p.m. ET on the day of the parade, according to the U.S. Army. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 12 June 2025 In March, another UIL track and field season will commence, so mark your calendars. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025 Once in orbit, the lander made a few more course corrections to line up with its landing site, then commenced its final descent on Thursday. Stephen Clark – Jun 6, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • De Los Reyes began working for Elite Security as a bag-checker at Petco Park during the 2007-08 baseball season.
    Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
  • The Israeli military says more than 400 rockets and hundreds of drones have been launched at Israeli territory since the conflict began.
    Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Iran had been in negotiations with the US for about two months, but called them off after Israel started bombing its territory.
    Sara Braun, Fortune, 22 June 2025
  • As per Sarah Langs of MLB.com, his 11 hitless innings to start his career broke the MLB record for a starting pitcher.
    Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Ali attended Loughborough University, and originates from Ipswich.
    Ali Rampling, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • One claims that the area’s name originates from the love story between the demigod Hercules and a nymph named Amalfi.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Suddenly Flips First, in diversity of citizenship cases (as here), the federal courts will apply their own procedural rules but they are also required to apply the substantive rules of the state from where the action arises.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Russia has also welcomed the golden share, which again arose during a domestic privatization drive.
    Cecilia Hult, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • At a meeting Tuesday morning, Collier County commissioners appeared to have been caught off guard by the state’s plans for the Everglades airfield.
    Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
  • Iran's retaliatory strikes on Monday at the largest U.S. military base in the region appeared to offer an off-ramp to Trump and the United States to prevent further escalation -- something Trump embraced in his social media response to the attacks.
    Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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