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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Huang recounted during a commencement speech at the California Institute of Technology last year.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Larissa Brady, 53, died by suicide during the university’s spring commencement ceremony in May 2024.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
The festival continues through Sunday, with online and in-person events and writing workshops, including a performance by Kim Addonizio on Friday night and the Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate commencement ceremony Saturday night, hosted by Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Yosimar Reyes.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk's memorial service at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, has drawn big crowds and bigger names from the music industry, who have performed in the runup to the commencement of service and speeches.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Larissa Brady, 53, died by suicide during the university’s spring commencement ceremony in May 2024.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
The festival continues through Sunday, with online and in-person events and writing workshops, including a performance by Kim Addonizio on Friday night and the Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate commencement ceremony Saturday night, hosted by Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Yosimar Reyes.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk's memorial service at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, has drawn big crowds and bigger names from the music industry, who have performed in the runup to the commencement of service and speeches.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencement
Noun
-
From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But that was the beginning of everything for both of us.—
Karen Taylor Bass,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But Ware held his own against the Cavaliers’ talented frontcourt on Monday, totaling 14 rebounds, 20 rebounds, one steal and one block in his third straight start for the injured Adebayo.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
-
What's the difference between astronomical and meteorological start dates?—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Since its inception in 2013, the festival has taken place in Los Angeles in the fall, showcasing speculative cinema from around the globe.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Since its inception, IEEPA has been invoked 69 times, and no president has ever used it to impose tariffs.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Beijing nearly doubled the rate of expansion at missile production sites in the two years that followed the onset of the war, according to CNN’s satellite imagery analysis of constructed floorspace.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Amid the second surge of the virus, in August 2020, the first ‘covid novel’ arrived—Ali Smith’s Summer, the last of a seasonal quartet, written during Britain’s early lockdown, which includes real-time descriptions of the pandemic’s onset.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Much like Blue Origin’s chief competitor, SpaceX — which has long been a dominant force in the commercial launch business — Blue Origin rockets are designed to be partially reused in order to drive down costs.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The latter has grown into a dominant force in pay-TV, racking up 10 million subscribers just eight years after its launch.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencement. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share