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

This tender novel of intimacy and its risks begins in Boston in 1969, as Eve, a dancer, commences an affair with a colleague—an indiscretion that spurs her husband, a journalist named Gabe, to cheat, too. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

The Jet Set to the Beekman package commences with a Blade helicopter flight to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan (from eligible departure points), where a house car will then take you to the Beekman’s West Turret penthouse. — Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

With a fury inside him, Garfield unleashes violence against them and commences the rebellion. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2026

Players and coaches are away from team facilities, taking time to regroup before training camp commences at the end of July. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 8 July 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

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