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
On Friday, the city held a commencement ceremony for the stadium, which Goodell attended and spoke at.
—
Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitration proceedings shall be conducted before JAMS in accordance with JAMS Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures and shall be concluded within sixty (60) days of commencement.
—Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
Graduates of Baruch College participate in a commencement ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, June 5, 2017.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
Moore delivered a commencement address at Lincoln University in Gettysburg in May, the same month Gallego and Khanna paid their own visits.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitration proceedings shall be conducted before JAMS in accordance with JAMS Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures and shall be concluded within sixty (60) days of commencement.
—Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
Graduates of Baruch College participate in a commencement ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, June 5, 2017.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
Moore delivered a commencement address at Lincoln University in Gettysburg in May, the same month Gallego and Khanna paid their own visits.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencement
Noun
-
Indiana went on a 14-1 run in the third to take the lead from Nebraska (14-2, 3-2) for the first time since the beginning of the game, leading briefly at 51-49.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As for the Lady Kate, Furrer said the 110-foot boat stopped cruising at the beginning of the pandemic.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The system adapts to tone and intent without forcing app switching or blank-page starts.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Multiple King of Fire, which got its start as a food truck and expanded to a permanent space in uptown Charlotte, plans to open a 3,484-square-foot space at CrossRidge Center across the border in Indian Land, South Carolina.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Factors That Have Affected the Concept Since the work triangle’s inception, the kitchen has changed, leading to numerous factors that have advanced the work triangle, too.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Since their inception, social media companies have implemented protective measures for users such as filtering bullying comments and enabling minors to opt out of seeing personalized ads.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To save humankind, a geophysicist living with early-onset Alzheimer’s is recruited to investigate the vast void swallowing the oceans.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The onset of elevated inflation alongside sluggish hiring has put the Fed in a difficult position.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
9 Jan. 2026
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 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share