1
as in begins
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
commence the festivities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in starts
to come into existence
the games commenced early in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 commences
There are still a couple of questions to be answered though even as construction commences on the 67,500-capacity facility, which will be next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of downtown Cleveland.
—
CBS News, 1 May 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
The new pact commences on January 2027 after Butterworth’s current deal with Paramount wraps up at the end of the year.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 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
If the sales go through and drilling eventually commences, large portions of the trail could, in theory, become unusable, forcing a reroute to keep it viable as a recreation setting.
—Alex Heard, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
The strike will last until the union and the school district come to an agreement, which could mean hours or several days after the picket commences Thursday morning.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The first set of intercontinental playoffs take place at the end of this year and the second phase commences in February 2027.
—Emily Olsen, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 1 May 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
The new pact commences on January 2027 after Butterworth’s current deal with Paramount wraps up at the end of the year.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 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
If the sales go through and drilling eventually commences, large portions of the trail could, in theory, become unusable, forcing a reroute to keep it viable as a recreation setting.
—Alex Heard, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
The strike will last until the union and the school district come to an agreement, which could mean hours or several days after the picket commences Thursday morning.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The first set of intercontinental playoffs take place at the end of this year and the second phase commences in February 2027.
—Emily Olsen, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commences
Verb
-
His involvement begins and ends with his coverage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Goldschmied begins to collaborate with Gap as a consultant—a relationship that would continue until 2000.—
Maria Cristina Pavarini,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
When wildfire smoke rolls in, the rush to buy a hepa air purifier starts within hours.—
Ryan Brennan
May 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
-
The virus starts with flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting/diarrhea and loss of appetite.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The phrase actually originates from a speech by 19th-century Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP) leader Charles Stewart Parnell.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Eastern Alabama and northwest Georgia share a river system that originates in the Blue Ridge Mountains and flows through both states on the way to Mobile Bay.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The same problem arises with generational generalizations.—
Alex Cooper,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
The problem arises when anger becomes a fixation and gets out of control.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
That rejection story appears in Bridges’s memoir for older students, Through My Eyes, not in the picture books.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
But with Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak expressing their desire to not play a young quarterback right away, the veteran Cousins appears in the driver’s seat to start Week 1.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commences. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
