Synonyms of commences

commences

verb

present tense third-person singular of commence

1

as in begins

to take the first step in (a process or course of action)

commence the festivities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• begins
• starts
• opens
• launches
• falls (to)
• strikes (into)
• enters (into or upon)
• creates
• initiates
• gets going
• embarks (on or upon)
• originates
• gets off
• generates
• leads off
• gets to
• sets about
• kicks off
• establishes
• adopts
• organizes
• inaugurates
• invents
• founds
• institutes
• fathers
• spawns
• embraces
• innovates
• takes on
• gets down (to)
• gets around (to)
• takes up
• sets up
• pioneers
• gets round (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ends
• concludes
• terminates
• finishes
• ceases
• stops
• halts
• completes
• closes
• discontinues
• quits
• leaves
• abandons
• desists
• destroys
• forsakes
• lays off
• abolishes
• extinguishes
• knocks off
• demolishes
• exterminates
• phases out

2

as in starts

to come into existence

the games commenced early in the morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• begins
• starts
• originates
• arises
• appears
• is
• emerges
• arrives
• forms
• engenders
• springs
• exists
• dawns
• lasts
• materializes
• breaks
• actualizes
• sets in
• continues
• lives
• breathes
• persists
• survives
• subsists
• comes on
• endures
• shapes (up)
• coalesces
• coheres

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ends
• ceases
• stops
• concludes
• terminates
• finishes
• halts
• disappears
• vanishes
• quits
• dissolves
• dies
• expires
• evaporates
• departs
• discontinues
• desists
• perishes
• passes away

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of commences

As the offseason commences, the Sixers are comprised pretty much of their top four and spare parts. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 23 June 2026

For borrowers looking to purchase a home or refinance their current one in this climate, however, there are also some strategic moves worth considering now, before the Fed's June meeting even commences. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Homer Gere, Yvonne Chapman, Ellen Barkin, Willem Dafoe and Michael Douglas have rounded out the cast of Oliver Stone‘s upcoming pic White Lies as principal photography commences. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 10 June 2026

Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow (the weeks leading up to the celestial backspin when the planet slows down), which began on June 13 in water Cancer, starts the story for the planet’s moonwalk that commences on June 29. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 10 June 2026

Looking back at Barber, Spark commences some light back-pedaling. — Literary Hub, 9 June 2026

Falling back to the pack and seven points shy of San Jose, which won 4-1 at BMO Stadium on Sunday, LAFC has seen its recent MLS stumbles coincide with advancing to a two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal, which commences Wednesday at BMO Stadium and ends May 6 in Toluca, Mexico. — Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026

But the Passover Seder also commences the 50-day historical journey to Mount Sinai, the metaphorical site where the Jewish people received the Torah, the laws and traditions that gave shape to their journey, their culture and societal structure. — Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

All changes take effect June 18 except for Cartagena, which commences June 11. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026