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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Recent Examples of commencements
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
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencements
Noun
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Humble beginnings Menjívar arrived undocumented in the United States at age 18, fleeing a bloody civil war in El Salvador, stowed away in a car to avoid detection at the border.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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Over the last two years, the actress has reportedly picked up two neighboring properties in the area, creating what already looks like the beginnings of a private compound spread across roughly half an acre.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Freeland had walked only five batters in his first four starts.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
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Gamboa was limited by injury during spring training, allowing three runs over two innings in two appearances, and has allowed nine runs in 13 innings over three starts with Triple-A Worcester.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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Four more commercial landers are under construction now for launches in the second half of this year, but as is common in the space industry, their schedules have a history of delays, and some are likely to move into 2027.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
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The launches also propelled the movie studio, which saw revenue increase 21%.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commencements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencements. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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