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 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

Ben Affleck gave the commencement speech at her graduation from the Ivy League, with Bruce Willis, older sister Rumer, and Willis’s wife Emma Heming Willis in attendance for Scout’s milestone moment. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026