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
Last year, 39-year-old Kendra Frazer was found dead just hours before the festival commenced.
—
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
And despite holding a groundbreaking ceremony last September, building still has not commenced on a 120-bed behavioral health facility on the campus of Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
After public outcry earlier this month, a work crew had finally been dispatched to restore it and was laying bricks as anniversary events commenced.
—Jack Brook, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
When Take One commenced, my heart was in my mouth every step of the way — especially each time the actors approached the marks taped to the sidewalk.
—Howard Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Needless to say, the two periods couldn’t be more aligned at this stage – both times, explosive rallies commenced after the ETF logged monstrous pivots, which came after preceding, historic volatility.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
The joint patrol commenced shortly after.
—Amir Daftari
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Channel 4 has commenced the search process before the appointment of its next chair, which must be rubberstamped by the UK government.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
The long-running storyline, stretching back before the season even commenced, surrounded Alpine’s second seat.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
And despite holding a groundbreaking ceremony last September, building still has not commenced on a 120-bed behavioral health facility on the campus of Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
After public outcry earlier this month, a work crew had finally been dispatched to restore it and was laying bricks as anniversary events commenced.
—Jack Brook, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
When Take One commenced, my heart was in my mouth every step of the way — especially each time the actors approached the marks taped to the sidewalk.
—Howard Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Needless to say, the two periods couldn’t be more aligned at this stage – both times, explosive rallies commenced after the ETF logged monstrous pivots, which came after preceding, historic volatility.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
The joint patrol commenced shortly after.
—Amir Daftari
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Channel 4 has commenced the search process before the appointment of its next chair, which must be rubberstamped by the UK government.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
The long-running storyline, stretching back before the season even commenced, surrounded Alpine’s second seat.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commenced
Verb
-
Russell’s touchdown came 3 plays after Green ran for 35 yards on the first play of the possession that began at midfield.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
-
LaFleur began his Packer career going 8-0 against the NFC North and was 15-3 in his first three seasons.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And to round things out, a couple volleyball-centric stories, as the Cards started their 2025 campaign last week.—
Payton Titus,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Bhutia quit his corporate life and started a cloud kitchen in 2023.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Back in June 2024, McDonald's launched the $5 Meal Deal in part to offset backlash from rising prices – highlighted by reports of an $18 Big Mac combo meal being sold at a Connecticut rest stop.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The original Power of Siberia pipeline, launched in 2019 under a $400 billion, 30-year contract, runs 1,865 miles from eastern Siberia into Heilongjiang province.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a lot of beauty and thought that actually originated here.—
Vogue Runway,
Vogue,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The fire is thought to have originated from natural causes.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Then, the Oversight Committee later released 33,000 files on Epstein, just hours after the discharge petition opened.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The trailer opened with Bryant writing a letter to her longtime frenemy Huger.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To be sure, many approaches have been tried in the past, but all sorts of predictions that arose from them have yet to be validated or borne out by experiment.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But the first controversy arose, again, in Kentucky.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sosa also appeared at this year’s Cubs Convention and spent time around the team during spring training in Arizona.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Lady Gaga led the nominations with 12 mentions including Artist of the Year and appeared at the event while still on tour with her Mayhem Ball.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But with an encouraging slate of opponents upcoming, there’s more hope for this Cowboys team to make a push for the playoffs today than there was yesterday.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
-
If there was the intention to strengthen in central defence with Jaka Bijol, should that have heralded the right moment to generate more room in the transfer budget with Struijk’s sale?—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commenced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commenced. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share