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
Usyk tried to swarm once the action commenced.
—
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The LPs also commenced his empathetic association with bassist Bob Cranshaw, who appeared on Rollins’ albums for the next half-century.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 26 May 2026
In February 2025, calls between the Administration and the UFC officially commenced.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026
And in downtown Evanston, construction has commenced on The Legacy, an apartment complex on Chicago Avenue.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Anika Reed The Beyoncé Gala has finally commenced.
—Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026
If dopamine neurons in the basal ganglia degenerate as happens in Parkinson’s disease, movements become harder to initiate and slower once they are commenced.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Principal photography commenced later that year in Cannes, Nice and the Côte d’Azur, and re-created the festival atmosphere.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Leclerc cuts the chicane, but which point the chasing George Russell fully erases the 14-second gap Leclerc had when the lap commenced.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The LPs also commenced his empathetic association with bassist Bob Cranshaw, who appeared on Rollins’ albums for the next half-century.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 26 May 2026
In February 2025, calls between the Administration and the UFC officially commenced.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026
And in downtown Evanston, construction has commenced on The Legacy, an apartment complex on Chicago Avenue.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Anika Reed The Beyoncé Gala has finally commenced.
—Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026
If dopamine neurons in the basal ganglia degenerate as happens in Parkinson’s disease, movements become harder to initiate and slower once they are commenced.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Principal photography commenced later that year in Cannes, Nice and the Côte d’Azur, and re-created the festival atmosphere.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Leclerc cuts the chicane, but which point the chasing George Russell fully erases the 14-second gap Leclerc had when the lap commenced.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commenced
Verb
-
Sochan began the year with the San Antonio Spurs, the franchise that selected him in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
One of the earliest programs for continuing education came from Harvard University, who began the Harvard Extension School in 1835 in what was then called the Lowell Institute.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Oncologists are being flooded with requests as the special access program gets started.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
Yet, San Antonio should be well-prepared for the challenge, having beaten the reigning champion Thunder, which started this season 24-1 and swept its first two playoff opponents.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead, Colorado received two stores, and six decades later, the one launched in Glendale remains one of the company’s most active.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Disney’s bet on sports and streaming amplified last August when the company launched the ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming app, which features all of the content from its TV network as well as exclusive programming.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The rules are a relic of a bygone era, when barbers originated as a branch of surgeons; the same people who were supposed to cut hair were also expected to cut other body parts.—
Eric Zamparripa,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
The idea originated with Silio.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Ditto for the realization that Jean-Michel Basquiat died of an overdose in lower Manhattan the same day The Last Temptation opened in midtown.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
The other two entrances, also blocked by craters and debris, had already been opened, and the roads to them, previously destroyed by bombing, had been repaved.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
But serious questions about the House bill quickly arose.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2026
-
As questions arose, Diaz-Rosillo revealed to Peruvian media that Fujimori was paid $45,000 for a full year of work.—
Daniel Rivero,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Unlike the vivid green curtains commonly associated with the northern lights, these auroras appeared as soft crimson veils spread across the night sky.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
-
The firearm appeared to have a live round in the chamber and was discharged after being triggered, the authorities indicated.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Reading on my own, there was no need to engage in close reading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
There was Kyle’s older brother, Kurt.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commenced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commenced. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
