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
In preparation for the aircraft’s arrival next year, Qantas pilots have commenced training on Australia’s first A350 simulator in Sydney and with British Airways in the UK.
—
Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Years later, on May 24, 2011, Casey's trial commenced in Orlando.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Bystanders pulled her from the water and commenced first aid on the beach before paramedics arrived, the statement said.
—ABC News, 13 June 2026
In the 20th century, Germany and Japan had just invaded Poland and China and commenced expanding their territory while eliminating the resident populations.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
As graduations commenced and the last day of school rolled around, families celebrated by indulging in a good meal at some popular Fort Worth restaurants.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
The committee’s antitrust investigation into the NFL commenced in August 2025 in response to constituents’ concerns about the high costs, according to a source familiar with the situation.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026
Work commenced 458 days ago (as of June 3) and the project still isn’t complete.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Every day brought a thousand little dramas, dropped lines and brilliant recoveries, missing props and onstage farts, the extramarital affair that Proteus and Julia had commenced, the gay actor’s wicked commentary on it, followed by bad behavior in bars.
—Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Years later, on May 24, 2011, Casey's trial commenced in Orlando.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Bystanders pulled her from the water and commenced first aid on the beach before paramedics arrived, the statement said.
—ABC News, 13 June 2026
In the 20th century, Germany and Japan had just invaded Poland and China and commenced expanding their territory while eliminating the resident populations.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
As graduations commenced and the last day of school rolled around, families celebrated by indulging in a good meal at some popular Fort Worth restaurants.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
The committee’s antitrust investigation into the NFL commenced in August 2025 in response to constituents’ concerns about the high costs, according to a source familiar with the situation.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026
Work commenced 458 days ago (as of June 3) and the project still isn’t complete.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Every day brought a thousand little dramas, dropped lines and brilliant recoveries, missing props and onstage farts, the extramarital affair that Proteus and Julia had commenced, the gay actor’s wicked commentary on it, followed by bad behavior in bars.
—Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commenced
Verb
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The Hurricanes began to assume control of the series after falling behind by the score of 4-0 in Game 3.—
Mark Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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Trump’s birthday began with a new round of Israeli military strikes in Beirut, which the country said was in response to projectiles fired by the militant group Hezbollah at Israel.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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One last comeback The Spurs started the fourth quarter by rebuilding their lead – a huge dunk by Wembanayama extended the lead to a nine-point margin with 10 minutes to go.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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The grounds crew got the tarp down just before the rain started pouring a few minutes later.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Israel, which launched an airstrike in Beirut earlier on Sunday before the announcement, has not yet commented on the agreement.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
The Israeli military struck targets in Beirut's suburbs on Sunday after the militant group Hezbollah launched projectiles toward Israel, Reuters reported.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The network originated in Stephenville, Texas, about 78 miles southwest of Fort Worth, and takes its name from the first three digits of the city’s 76401 ZIP code.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
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The findings add to growing evidence that suggests where plague might have originated, experts say — and also challenge ideas about what enabled plague to spread.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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It's been a number of weeks since a family friendly film opened wide, and with summer upon us, that makes for a majorly underserved market raring to return to theaters.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 June 2026
-
Then, in July 2024, after sharing her family's story on TikTok, an unexpected message opened the door to a new way of keeping their mother close.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Serious legal questions also arose as to whether ESG violated fiduciary duty laws and if DEI is discriminatory.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
The yoke arose from an inflection point.—
Robert Duffer,
AJC.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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In February the James Beard Foundation honored Inglewood’s Serving Spoon restaurant as an American classic; on Monday night third-generation owners Jessica Bain and Justin Johnson appeared onstage to collect their medals.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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Maxi Falcon, the Herons’ other Uruguayan, has never appeared for his senior national team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Verb
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During the morning low tide, while there was still a small stretch of sand, excavators were working to pile large rip-rap boulders next to the base of the crumbling Pacifica Pier.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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While there was movement on the bases for both starters, the game lulled until the seventh.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commenced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commenced. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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