1
as in began
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
commence the festivities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 commenced
And so, shortly after his startling, spirit-lifting victory in the primary last spring, the gentle flood of inquiries commenced.
—
Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Though their time on DWTS commenced nearly two decades ago, Julianne, who joined a season before Derek, remembered their playful competitiveness stirring up even further back.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
Once Stewart reached help, the search for the 27 victims commenced and lasted for weeks.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025
As one of Stephen King‘s scariest pieces of IP gets the HBO Max series treatment, the bloodbath has commenced with the first episode.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
The battle of the crustless sandwiches has commenced.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
The last thirty-some years of his life commenced with Betsy.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The split commenced a contentious court battle in which the former model requested $175,057 in child support payments, a $45,000 increase from a tentative payment order, during a two-day Santa Barbara court hearing in August, according to People.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Thus commenced an awkward situation in which the next Rutgers president would inherit an athletic director who had just been hired by his predecessor.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Though their time on DWTS commenced nearly two decades ago, Julianne, who joined a season before Derek, remembered their playful competitiveness stirring up even further back.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
Once Stewart reached help, the search for the 27 victims commenced and lasted for weeks.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025
As one of Stephen King‘s scariest pieces of IP gets the HBO Max series treatment, the bloodbath has commenced with the first episode.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
The battle of the crustless sandwiches has commenced.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
The last thirty-some years of his life commenced with Betsy.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The split commenced a contentious court battle in which the former model requested $175,057 in child support payments, a $45,000 increase from a tentative payment order, during a two-day Santa Barbara court hearing in August, according to People.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Thus commenced an awkward situation in which the next Rutgers president would inherit an athletic director who had just been hired by his predecessor.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commenced
Verb
-
Many Federal Aviation Administration facilities are so critically short on controllers that just a few absences can cause disruptions, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said that more air traffic controllers have been calling in sick since the shutdown began.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
That is when the gruelling road back to fitness began.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The initial symptoms began in early 2024, when Farrington, 45, started to experience dreadful night sweats.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Pandemic deals gave way to record rents, and evictions started up again.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The software, called VenApp, was originally launched by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2022 as a hybrid application, integrating a messaging service with a helpline for people to report issues with utility services, such as power outages and water disruptions.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
For instance, Biden, with the other G7 leaders, launched a six-hundred-billion-dollar multilateral effort—the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment—to offer infrastructure financing to developing countries as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The fire is thought to have originated from natural causes.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The data doesn’t make clear exactly where the money in Korf and Laber’s accounts originated.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For Starbucks patrons at an upscale mall in Beijing’s central business district – the same complex where the company first opened its doors in China in 1999 – the news doesn’t come as a complete surprise.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Typically coming out in the fall, the publication arose in a time when sophisticated weather forecasting — and even automobiles — didn't exist.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Related Stories The announcement of a farewell tour brings at least some clarity to the future of the group, after confusion arose amid statements ade on social media in early October by Neal Schon.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Her own work has appeared in ArabLit Quarterly, The New York Times, Even/Odd Studios, and elsewhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The situation for the Dodgers appeared dire, and the Blue Jays seemed on the verge of winning their first World Series title in 32 years.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Then too there was a whole other set of incentives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Hell there was even a cartoon about it.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commenced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commenced. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share