1
as in begins
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
commence the festivities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
The first leg of the annual championship commences this Saturday, January 3, and wraps up on Saturday, January 17.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2026
Hickey’s expectations come as Wall Street readies for the new trading year, which commences with Friday’s opening bell.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
Thus commences a nearly five minute-long sequence in which delivery trucks arrive and a crowd of nearly 100 Others proceed to re-stock the store.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Still thinking about Gael, Nathan proceeds to get loaded at the club with Kizzi and commences a marathon making-out session.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
As Yellow Sophie stands as lookout, Blue Sophi commences the bag search, leaving no stone (or sock or pant leg) unturned.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
The show is nearing the end of its eight-episode run, which commences on December 10, 2025.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Just last week, the Facchino Family began demolishing structures at its 13-acre property at 1655 Berryessa Road before construction commences on a new mixed-income neighborhood near the BART Station.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Here, for now, are three pressing questions as the offseason commences.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2026
Hickey’s expectations come as Wall Street readies for the new trading year, which commences with Friday’s opening bell.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
Thus commences a nearly five minute-long sequence in which delivery trucks arrive and a crowd of nearly 100 Others proceed to re-stock the store.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Still thinking about Gael, Nathan proceeds to get loaded at the club with Kizzi and commences a marathon making-out session.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
As Yellow Sophie stands as lookout, Blue Sophi commences the bag search, leaving no stone (or sock or pant leg) unturned.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
The show is nearing the end of its eight-episode run, which commences on December 10, 2025.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Just last week, the Facchino Family began demolishing structures at its 13-acre property at 1655 Berryessa Road before construction commences on a new mixed-income neighborhood near the BART Station.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Here, for now, are three pressing questions as the offseason commences.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commences
Verb
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The mission now begins final checkout activities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
-
As the pooch chews on the glove, the battery is suddenly damaged and begins to smoke.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Six years have come and gone with only four NFL starts to show for it.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
-
While plumbers said winter is known for pipes bursting, once the weather starts thawing out in the spring, their call volume picks up.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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Analysts note the Lone Star State refineries are particularly equipped to process the heavy type of crude that originates from Venezuela, once imports start flowing.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the story, there is a lot of comedy that naturally arises from tragic moments, from dark, depressing moments.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
10 Jan. 2026
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In the decades since, analytical philosophers have produced all manner of models meant to explain how consciousness arises.—
Dan Turello,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Angela Bassett, for one, appears to be looking forward to watching Teyana Taylor host this weekend's episode of Saturday Night Live.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The study appears in the journal Nature.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commences. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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