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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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 Nationwide, college students worried about their job prospects booed AI at commencement ceremonies. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 Photos published by The Daily Mail showed Bezos and then-girlfriend Sanchez in attendance at MIT’s commencement ceremony in 2022, although the publication couldn’t confirm Preston’s enrollment at the time. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 June 2026 This graduation season, tech leaders who invoke AI optimism in their commencement speeches are getting booed by classes entering the workforce with anxieties about what AI could mean for their job prospects. — Emma Bowman, NPR, 19 June 2026 The Saturday Night Live alum returned to her alma mater over the weekend to give the commencement speech. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for commencement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencement

Noun

More than 73,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilian and militant deaths, including more than 1,000 killed since the beginning of the latest ceasefire.

— Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Johnson Products Company — which would later go on to manufacture Ultra Sheen, Classy Curl, Curly Perm and men’s cologne line Black Tie — was made from humble beginnings, grit and a revolutionary product idea.

— Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of beginning

Noun

Acuff got off to a much better start after struggling to make shots in his summer league debut on Saturday.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Belgium added to the lead early in the second half on a major error from goalie Matt Freese, who had given up just one goal in his first three starts.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of start

Noun

Some team executives and agents have considered the second apron, set at just under $222 million this coming season, as a de facto hard cap since its inception.

— Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Since its inception, social media has been a proving ground for tween fashion and identity, offering under-16s a digital canvas to experiment with their style and form online cliques around niche interests.

— Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026

Definition of inception

Noun

Most of the symbol is believed to have been torn down by patriots at the onset of the revolution, though the surviving third remains at the church.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
The beneficiaries who qualify often have conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, intellectual disability, or early-onset dementia.

— James Lange, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of onset

Noun

The community has this earmarked as the launch of the foldable Galaxy Z Flip8, Z Fold8 and the new larger form factor of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Positioned at an elevation of about 2,600 meters, the radar can reportedly detect ballistic missile launches at distances of up to 3,106 miles (5,000 kilometers).

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Definition of launch

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“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencement. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of commencement

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