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
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Recent Examples of commencement
The commencement speeches are likely to increase speculation about Moore’s interest in running in 2028, CBS News reported.
—
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the senior class president was barred from a 2025 graduation ceremony after delivering a pro-Palestinian speech at a commencement the previous day.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
But unlike Hoosier fans, who historically only filled Memorial Stadium for spring commencement ceremonies, Nebraska fans have remained hopelessly devoted to their chronically underperforming team.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
Erika Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of its founder, Charlie Kirk, will be the 2026 commencement speaker at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the senior class president was barred from a 2025 graduation ceremony after delivering a pro-Palestinian speech at a commencement the previous day.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
But unlike Hoosier fans, who historically only filled Memorial Stadium for spring commencement ceremonies, Nebraska fans have remained hopelessly devoted to their chronically underperforming team.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
Erika Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of its founder, Charlie Kirk, will be the 2026 commencement speaker at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencement
Noun
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The full blackout by the regime began with civil protests at the beginning of 2026, and has continued in the current war.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Iran has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by launching its deadliest strikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Kings came into the game stressing a good start, having been outscored 5-1 in the first period of their previous three outings, and instead face planted to spot the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Saturday’s quality start was quite a bit more delicate than his last, too.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At least, Fowler, who’s covered every season since the franchise’s inception, thinks so.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Since its inception in 1981, Wednesday's Child has been a collaboration of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), the Department of Children & Families and WBZ-TV/CBS Boston.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ben Steinberg, a 26-year-old film student at Cal State Northridge, has long been a vocal and active proponent of reopening Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome, which has been closed since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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With the onset of agriculture, trees were removed to make room for sheep and cattle, which grazed out the natural vegetation.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the launch was picture perfect.—
Mark Osborne,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The orange flight suits are worn during launch and splashdown and are designed to function as individual spacecraft should the Orion capsule lose pressurization.—
Tom Costello,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencement. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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