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
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Recent Examples of commences
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
Sifford, who is currently the retailer’s vice chairman of the board, will fulfill the CEO responsibilities while the company commences a search for a permanent successor.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
That two-leg series commences on March 10 at BMO Stadium, and wraps up a week later at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
The planetary moonwalk commences on the 26th, twelve days after Valentine’s Day, and is plotting and sussing out the story, so beware of mishaps, missteps, unforeseen issues, travel delays, the resurrection of exes, and awkward moments.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026
This season, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) commences at a dire moment for US multi-brand retail.
—Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2026
An outspoken state senator is scheduled to make remarks Sunday at the International Servant Leaders Museum in Morton Grove, coming as Black History Month commences.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Sifford, who is currently the retailer’s vice chairman of the board, will fulfill the CEO responsibilities while the company commences a search for a permanent successor.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
That two-leg series commences on March 10 at BMO Stadium, and wraps up a week later at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
The planetary moonwalk commences on the 26th, twelve days after Valentine’s Day, and is plotting and sussing out the story, so beware of mishaps, missteps, unforeseen issues, travel delays, the resurrection of exes, and awkward moments.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026
This season, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) commences at a dire moment for US multi-brand retail.
—Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2026
An outspoken state senator is scheduled to make remarks Sunday at the International Servant Leaders Museum in Morton Grove, coming as Black History Month commences.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commences
Verb
-
The trade will not become official until the new league year begins on Wednesday.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Add all that to ideal daytime temps in the mid-70s, and a low chance of showers before the rainy season begins around June, and your last-minute CDMX trip practically plans itself.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But now starts a new terrible chapter without my smarter, goofier, and relentlessly selfless other half.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, security researchers have suspected that LeakBase originates from Russia, suggesting that its administrators remain free.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
4 Mar. 2026
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The name originates from the sun reflecting off the snow causing eye soreness.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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San Diego shouldn’t balance its books by charging families more every time a fiscal challenge arises.—
Bradley Schnell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
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And for insiders who have been monitoring Ellison’s reemergence, the question that often arises is whether or not Annapurna will remain a standalone operation, sign a first-look style deal or even be absorbed by a studio.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For the first time, there appears to be a commitment that Foxboro will incur no cost and will not have to worry about reimbursement processes.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Taleghan 2 appears to be deeply buried, similar to Fordow and Natanz, and its recent hardening may have prompted the use of extremely heavy bunker-busters.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commences. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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