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
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 commencements
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
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
Noun
-
But its prediction-market bet shows how these platforms are beginning to outgrow their YOLO beginnings and could one day underpin big parts of traditional finance.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 June 2026
-
Even the set for Simon’s modest apartment on Lexington Avenue evoked Cretton’s humble beginnings.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Singer has given up multiple homers in five of his last seven starts.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
The forward played in 137 games, including 97 starts, over his four seasons at Kansas, which concluded in 2024-25.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
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
Noun
-
The makeover puts the 700 Sky, the flagship of the sporty Skydeck line, on par with other recent Galeon launches, including the 520 Fly and 620 Fly.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
-
Russia’s government, which has historically also released safety notices for its space launches, has begun issuing such warnings to cover extended periods over many days in a bid to conceal when a launch might actually occur.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commencements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencements. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
