Synonyms of commencement

commencement

noun

kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• beginning
• start
• inception
• onset
• launch
• alpha
• outset
• genesis
• dawn
• birth
• inauguration
• initiation
• baseline
• morning
• threshold
• kickoff
• incipiency
• infancy
• day one
• origination
• incipience
• nascence
• nascency
• founding
• origin
• arrival
• get-go
• spring
• opening
• first base
• institution
• creation
• emergence
• drawing board
• debut
• advent
• dawning
• ground zero
• cradle
• source
• fountain
• germ
• appearance
• well
• square one
• childhood
• fountainhead
• root
• seedbed
• youth
• wellspring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• end
• conclusion
• ending
• close
• period
• completion
• termination
• cessation
• closing
• closure
• finish
• stop
• omega
• finale
• windup

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of commencement

Graduates leave Gas South Arena during Emory University's commencement ceremony in 2024. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Graduates at the University of Arizona and University of Central Florida booed mentions of AI during commencement speeches last spring. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

With the acclaim came the awards, the invitations to give commencement speeches, the honorary degrees, the chance to perform before thousands of fans at big-time sports events. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

In May, college graduates entering a workforce where the technology is the primary reason for job cuts met commencement speakers hailing the AI revolution—including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt at the University of Arizona—with boos. — Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026