1
as in beginning
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 starting
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 commencing
The accord further prohibited the developers from beginning construction on the new residences before commencing work on these improvements.
—
Awilda Esteras, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Willie made it through the filming of the first episode, but as the second episode was commencing, word got to me that Willie had returned to Los Angeles and the end was near.
—Annabelle Gurwitch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026
According to China General Nuclear (CGN), on 21st February, the reactor pressure vessel for unit 6 began hoisting operations, officially commencing the installation of the unit’s main nuclear island equipment.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
Dig deep to decipher the answer before commencing.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Don Lemon was arrested for covering anti-ICE protests inside a Minnesota church and is now commencing the best press tour of his life.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026
In his late 20s at the time, Murdoch was commencing a staggering hot streak that would last roughly a decade.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
None of the arrests of the four individual plaintiffs in this case, on the other hand, were made in immediate anticipation of commencing removal proceedings, much less executing a final order of removal.
—New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Awilda Esteras, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Willie made it through the filming of the first episode, but as the second episode was commencing, word got to me that Willie had returned to Los Angeles and the end was near.
—Annabelle Gurwitch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026
According to China General Nuclear (CGN), on 21st February, the reactor pressure vessel for unit 6 began hoisting operations, officially commencing the installation of the unit’s main nuclear island equipment.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
Dig deep to decipher the answer before commencing.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Don Lemon was arrested for covering anti-ICE protests inside a Minnesota church and is now commencing the best press tour of his life.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026
In his late 20s at the time, Murdoch was commencing a staggering hot streak that would last roughly a decade.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
None of the arrests of the four individual plaintiffs in this case, on the other hand, were made in immediate anticipation of commencing removal proceedings, much less executing a final order of removal.
—New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencing
Verb
-
The bar staff were beginning to clear up for the night.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Eastern Bloc was starting to unravel, and Fidesz, the political outfit that Orbán co-founded the year before, had been conceived as an engine of liberal reform.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That may mean starting a new project or ending one that’s gone on too long.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The only way to pull out of an awful season-opening stretch is one at-bat, one pitch, one win at a time.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Founded by Jesús Brazón, the bakery famous for its croissants, sourdough and cachitos will be opening this week at the Harbour Club in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood.—
Connie Ogle
April 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Aeroméxico, meanwhile, has a stronghold in routes originating from Mexico City’s primary airport.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Events of this magnitude, originating in the world’s largest ocean, can also contribute to higher global temperatures, as heat stored in the ocean is released into the atmosphere.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Demetra Henderson-Burkhalter, meanwhile, had also exchanged many calls with a New Orleans man named Cornelius Garrison III, who had been a plaintiff in a lawsuit arising from a truck collision in 2015 and had been listed as a witness to another collision in 2014.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In 2023, Eric Tennant — from Bridgeport, West Virginia — was diagnosed with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer arising from the bile ducts that had spread throughout his body.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Post-Euphoria, Ferreira has turned her attention largely to film, notably appearing opposite John Leguizamo in 2024’s Bob Trevino Likes It, and made her Broadway debut (with the support of some of her former Euphoria costars) in Cult of Love.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
-
But with most independent polls showing a double-digit deficit for Fidesz among decided voters ahead of the vote, Orbán has sought to boost his profile by appearing publicly with his international admirers.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commencing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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