1
as in began
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
commence the festivities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in started
to come into existence
the games commenced early in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commenced
No tariffs decision Tuesday’s argument commenced after the Supreme Court released its next batch of opinions in cases argued earlier this term.
—
Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2026
Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has officially commenced harbor trials for Hull 096, a 426 foot (130-meter) vessel that holds the title of the world’s largest battery-electric ship.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
The celebration, though, has commenced full-throttle.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2026
The charge related to meth was later reduced and then dismissed in March 1992 for lack of evidence, shortly after a trial commenced.
—Graham Womack
updated January 15, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The Maryland General Assembly has commenced, and the state is faced with a slew of problems that need to be addressed.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
Two days after the 2025 season concluded, Campbell fired former OC John Morton, and the interview process commenced shortly thereafter.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Other larger city projects that commenced in 2025 include expansions to the FSA Airport terminal, an addition to Central Church and the Nova and Rhys apartment complexes.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 14 Jan. 2026
The Anyone But You star enthused about production of the Hulu sports comedy series' second season, which commenced this month.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2026
Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has officially commenced harbor trials for Hull 096, a 426 foot (130-meter) vessel that holds the title of the world’s largest battery-electric ship.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
The celebration, though, has commenced full-throttle.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2026
The charge related to meth was later reduced and then dismissed in March 1992 for lack of evidence, shortly after a trial commenced.
—Graham Womack
updated January 15, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The Maryland General Assembly has commenced, and the state is faced with a slew of problems that need to be addressed.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
Two days after the 2025 season concluded, Campbell fired former OC John Morton, and the interview process commenced shortly thereafter.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Other larger city projects that commenced in 2025 include expansions to the FSA Airport terminal, an addition to Central Church and the Nova and Rhys apartment complexes.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 14 Jan. 2026
The Anyone But You star enthused about production of the Hulu sports comedy series' second season, which commenced this month.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commenced
Verb
-
The protest comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where demonstrations that began over economic grievances have spread nationwide, evolving into a direct challenge to Iran's clerical leadership.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Using products by celeb-favorite skin care brand iS Clinical, Flores began by cleansing Williams' skin with the lightweight Cleansing Complex before spraying his skin with a Copper Firming Mist.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The year started with a four-day streak of 70-degree highs; however, Oklahoma will soon see temperatures dip a bit into the mid-50s and 60s at the start of next week, with some parts of the state expecting snow.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sean Kuraly had a goal and an assist, Tanner Jeannot had two assists, and the Boston Bruins started a five-game homestand with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans have also launched a congressional investigation into the fire response.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Following the tragic incident, a family friend, Ella Mackrell, launched a GoFundMe to help bring the teen’s body home, as well as cover expenses related to travel, lodging and the funeral.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hynde and Pretenders guitarist James Walbourne circulated Standing in the Doorway as nine revelatory installments of a Dylan Lockdown Series, and for her, too, the adventure originated in Rough and Rowdy Ways.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In total, 137 of the more than 1,000 reports of abuse originated from facilities in Georgia, the fourth most behind Texas (179), Florida (168) and California (146).—
Lautaro Grinspan,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pruneyard Cinemas opened to a lot of fanfare in 2018, but its owners have been running uphill — and losing ground — since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The business initially opened as a supply store, then added a taproom and eventually a restaurant.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Last month, prosecutors dropped assault charges against Marimar Martinez after questions arose about the official version of an agent who shot her in traffic in Brighton Park, purportedly in self-defense, then bragged later about his marksmanship in text messages with his buddies.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Then hydrogen leaks arose during the third rehearsal, which led to NASA not only changing the way in which liquid hydrogen is loaded, but also modifying the ground umbilical plates that send power, coolant, fuel and communications to the rocket, according to Blackwell-Thompson.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Researchers said some images appeared to include children.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Pretti was being held on the ground when an officer appeared to remove a gun from Pretti's waistband just moments before another agent fired the first shot.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In between acts, there was a dance intermission featuring background dancers, including a solo female dancer performing a contemporary piece, before the stage opened to a full dance performance.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Detectives did not indicate that there was any connection between the two incidents.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commenced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commenced. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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