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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Recent Examples of commencement
In a message to students on Wednesday, USF President Moez Limayem said that the university would hold a vigil for Limon and Bristy on Friday, and that there would be a remembrance for the students during next week’s commencement ceremonies.
—
Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Gerry Byrne, vice chairman of Variety parent company PMC and a longtime media business executive, will be recognized by his alma mater, New York’s Fordham University, with an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 16.
—William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Chirino received the honor on Monday afternoon during commencement at FIU’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center on the main Modesto Maidique Campus.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Because the Monsters’ playoff schedule conflicts with Michigan’s commencement ceremony, Eernisse won’t get to walk with his graduating class.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Gerry Byrne, vice chairman of Variety parent company PMC and a longtime media business executive, will be recognized by his alma mater, New York’s Fordham University, with an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 16.
—William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Chirino received the honor on Monday afternoon during commencement at FIU’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center on the main Modesto Maidique Campus.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Because the Monsters’ playoff schedule conflicts with Michigan’s commencement ceremony, Eernisse won’t get to walk with his graduating class.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencement
Noun
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Clark spent six weeks at the beginning of this school year setting up and practicing classroom routines and procedures with her students.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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Humble beginnings Menjívar arrived undocumented in the United States at age 18, fleeing a bloody civil war in El Salvador, stowed away in a car to avoid detection at the border.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Had a really nice fastball that got him through the backend of his start.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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Right-hander Roki Sasaki strengthened his case Saturday with a quality start, despite some hiccups, as the Dodgers fell 3-2 to the Cardinals, extending their losing streak to four games.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images Since its inception, presidents have frequented the Washington Hilton.—
Katrina Kaufman,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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According to Powerball, the jackpot has been hit almost 200 times since the lottery's inception in 1992.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that early detection and aggressive treatment of psychiatric symptoms may improve long-term outcomes by delaying the onset of clinical neurodegeneration and mitigating the cumulative biological stress that accelerates brain aging.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
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Now, three years after the initial onset of symptoms, Mollie uses a wheelchair and crutches daily and was forced to move in with their father.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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From all appearances, Rocket Lab is continuing to grow as both a formidable launch and space services company.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2026
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The collaboration, which will be celebrated with an event at Cabana’s Milan headquarters this month ahead of the launch, will see the pieces available at both Cabana and Caraluna, as well as the respective online stores.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencement. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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