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commencements

noun

plural of commencement
as in beginnings
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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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 commencements The students booing artificial intelligence at commencements across the country are not just worried about jobs. — Mark Bardeen Andrejevic, Washington Post, 10 July 2026 Recent Harvard commencements have grown much more political. — Michael Casey, Fortune, 29 May 2026 Originally called MarchingOrder, Tassel had provided services for commencements for around 20 years before adding the AI name offering. — Kendall Staton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2026 By moving some commencements away from increasingly costly private sites, the financially ailing school district could have saved about half a million dollars a year. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencements
  1. beginnings
  2. starts
  3. onsets
  4. alphas
  5. launches
Noun
  • The museum will also look back at NBC milestones ranging from the network’s beginnings in radio to color television and the development of the modern late-night talk show.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Many other companies have similar, unlikely stories of their beginnings.
    — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of beginnings
Noun
  • Building these connections has to begin long before a fire starts, continue while the fire burns and endure long after the fire has ended.
    — Matt Thompson, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Some leading clubs in Europe had been linked with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who has scored seven goals for the League of Ireland side this season, in 17 starts and 11 sub appearances.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of starts
Noun
  • Experts said the second earthquake began before the first had even ended, with the two onsets separated by just 39 seconds.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • Anxiety disorders can persist into adulthood, particularly those disorders with early onsets and those that are left untreated.
    — Elana Bernstein, The Conversation, 13 May 2022
Definition of onsets
Noun
  • In the past few years, Underwood has come to realize that a bunch of barking alphas may not, in fact, be the best way to build a successful pack.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
  • As a ballplayer, Kent was as irascible as Bonds; the two alphas reportedly brawled behind clubhouse doors, and famously clashed in the dugout during a 2002 game, when Bonds lunged for Kent’s throat and pushed him against the wall.
    — Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
Definition of alphas
Noun
  • If the launch needs to be postponed, a planning advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration, which licenses commercial rocket launches, suggests another opportunity is available the following day.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Six different Falcon 9 first stages now have more than 30 launches and landings under their belt, led by Booster 1067, which has flown a whopping 37 times.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of launches

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Cite this Entry

“Commencements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencements. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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