COMMENCEMENT Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

commencement

noun

kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt

Definition of commencement

as in beginning

the point at which something begins there was a large turnout at the commencement of the conference, but the numbers dwindled as it progressed

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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 commencement Ben Affleck gave the commencement speech at her graduation from the Ivy League, with Bruce Willis, older sister Rumer, and Willis’s wife Emma Heming Willis in attendance for Scout’s milestone moment. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 El-Sayed graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biology and political science and delivered the commencement speech. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 Shoutouts Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera speaks during the spring 2026 commencement ceremony in May. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Crist, for example, was given a distinguished alumni award June 5 at commencement ceremonies held by the Antelope Valley College. — Pat Maio, Daily News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for commencement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencement

Noun

That kind of visceral reaction has been baked into Paranormal Activity from the beginning.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The beginning of the advertisement focuses on Miestowski reaching for the driver in a golf bag.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of beginning

Noun

He was scheduled to throw over the weekend with El Paso but was held back after tweaking his back while working between starts.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Then the Valkyries really pressed their advantage with a prolific scoring start to the fourth, pushing the lead to 14 points midway through the period.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of start

Noun

Unlike many conditions catalogued under the umbrella term of dementia, childhood dementias are often caused by mutations in a single gene that happen to trigger similar mechanisms responsible for adult-onset neurodegeneration.

— Mike McRae August 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
That isolation was compounded because he was diagnosed just as the country locked down at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bullock said.

— Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of onset

Noun

Training units would not need to replace the complete launch pod after every firing cycle.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
After the launch of the iPhone in 2007 transformed the smartphone industry, BlackBerry fought hard to keep its consumer mobile division alive with new devices — but ultimately lost the battle.

— Arjun Kharpal,Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of launch

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commenced

commencement

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“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencement. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of commencement

noun

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