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
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Recent Examples of commenced
The news comes a few weeks after Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) boss Ravi Ahuja commenced a months-long layoffs process that will impact a few hundred of its 12,000 global staff.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 May 2026
Anika Reed The Beyoncé Gala has finally commenced.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Blue Origin, founded by rival billionaire Jeff Bezos, has commenced commercial launches of its own gargantuan reusable rocket, New Glenn—although not without major problems.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Since the season commenced in Australia in March, the F1 WAGs have made their presence known as they've been seen alongside their partners in the paddock and cheering from the stands during races.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
As filming commenced, unforeseen complexities piled up to the sky.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Her teammates intercepted her and commenced a celebration that finally elicited a Nelson smile.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
While authorities have not confirmed which festival Gillum may have been targeting, his arrest came just one day before the city of New Orleans commenced its annual Jazz & Heritage Festival, which attracts about 400,000 attendees each year.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 May 2026
Anika Reed The Beyoncé Gala has finally commenced.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Blue Origin, founded by rival billionaire Jeff Bezos, has commenced commercial launches of its own gargantuan reusable rocket, New Glenn—although not without major problems.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Since the season commenced in Australia in March, the F1 WAGs have made their presence known as they've been seen alongside their partners in the paddock and cheering from the stands during races.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
As filming commenced, unforeseen complexities piled up to the sky.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Her teammates intercepted her and commenced a celebration that finally elicited a Nelson smile.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
While authorities have not confirmed which festival Gillum may have been targeting, his arrest came just one day before the city of New Orleans commenced its annual Jazz & Heritage Festival, which attracts about 400,000 attendees each year.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commenced
Verb
-
When Richards began his career in criminal-justice advocacy, the idea of closing Rikers Island would have been a radical fantasy.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Spencer Strider, who began the year sidelined with a right oblique strain and struggled with command upon his return last week, looked close to vintage form in Los Angeles.—
Jesús Cano,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
-
Barker and Tomlinson had been at it for a year when the pandemic started, and their classes migrated to Zoom.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Last week, a group of Spirit’s former employees and fans launched an online campaign to buy the airline.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Torres launched a shot in nearly the identical spot as Copeland for a two-run homer and Hagerty was on its way to Fort Myers.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The formats hotbed of The Netherlands, where The Traitors originated, came out well from K7’s decade-topping list – the first time such data has been compiled – with The Floor from Talpa Studios coming second at 32 adaptations since 2020.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
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Bauck confirmed the state health department has investigated three cases, two of which originated in Minnesota and one involving a person who caught it in another state before coming home.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
This is one of the longest-standing Filipino restaurants in Little Manila, opened in 1992 by Renee and Ernesto Dizon, who wanted to serve the neighborhood’s growing population of immigrant nurses.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Kelsey Plum scored 11 of her 27 points in the fourth quarter, but by then the Aces had opened a 20-plus point lead.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Even with the new tunnel machines, obstacles arose.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
The goal was to play a patient game then jump on the offensive when opportunities arose rather than trying to force the issue and abdicate defensive responsibilities.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The man appeared to ask Albee what was the point of helping him, the bodycam footage shows.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
-
Unlike last year’s blue carpet, this year’s carpet appeared intentionally forgotten by time with grass creeping up the steps.—
Beatrice Dupuy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Verb
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After the Knicks had already demoralized the Sixers three times too many, there was still time on the clock for one more haymaker, one more seismic punch to put Philadelphia, already on the ropes far sooner than its fan base had anticipated, out for good.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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There was evidence of mice where all three of the deceased had worked, and one person had numerous mice in their home, according to the public health office for Mono County, home to Mammoth Lakes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commenced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commenced. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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