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 The Jewish Food Society’s inaugural food and culture festival will commence this weekend featuring art, live music, cooking demos and unique dish collaborations from restaurants such as Thai Diner, Katz’s Deli, Morgenstern’s Russ & Daughters and Junior’s Restaurant among others. Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025 The Carabao Cup will begin in mid-August, with Premier League teams not playing in Europe entering in the second round, which starts in the week commencing August 25, and the remaining seven clubs receiving a bye to the third round, which takes place in the weeks commencing September 15 and 22. Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 18 June 2025 These delays at the ISA, in turn, have frustrated corporate actors, like The Metals Company (TMC), which are keen to commence commercial-scale operations in international waters. Time, 17 June 2025 In anticipation of that event, the red leather chair commenced a mystery tour around the city to locations that have significance within Lynch’s life and filmography, with clues posted on social media to allow fans to guess the locations. Abigail Lee, Variety, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • Thomas officially began to practice and compete with the women's swimmers in Fall 2021.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025
  • Sacramento’s search for a point guard began as soon as the Kings hired Scott Perry as their new general manager.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • One of the notes came not long after jurors started deliberating and raised concerns from several jurors about another member of the panel.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • Recent summers, however, have started to change that picture.
    Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, part of the name Pontianak may originate in the pohon tinggi, or tall trees, that serve as her lair.
    H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 July 2025
  • Fallon Tallent killed two Wilson County police officers during a police pursuit that originated in Knoxville, but how to prove intent was at the heart of the 2004 trial.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • That means naming the fear, the confusion and even the shame that might arise.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • As for cosmic weather this week, note that power struggles around ideas may arise on June 29, while July 4 could bring big ups, downs or spontaneity to relationships.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • European banks have meanwhile significantly boosted their profits over the last three years as central banks dragged interest rates out of a decade of ultra-low territory, a shift that appears to have been belatedly priced in this year — even with rates now falling .
    Jenni Reid,Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 6 July 2025
  • But relying on natural gas to fill the gap over at least the next five years appears to be both a foolhardy and highly expensive gamble.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on commence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!