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 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is around the corner, commencing May 13 with the opening ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in the south of France.
—
Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
The Competition and Markets Authority sought comments from interested parties last month — a first step towards commencing a deeper examination of a deal that will reshape the global media landscape.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Wickens found time to reflect on his best season yet and career as a whole, amid the weeks-long party that has been commencing in the East Midlands city of Lincoln, after the club won League One in style with 103 points.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Earlier this year, the company announced a publishing administration partnership with 16-time Grammy Award-winner — and Variety’s Hitmakers 2025 songwriter of the year — Bruno Mars, commencing upon the completion of his current deal with BMG/Warner Chappell.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
But soon after pouring millions into upgrading the hydro facility, the company shuttered its Cheboygan operation in 1990, eliminating 300 jobs and commencing the slow decline of the historic mill.
—CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
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
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
Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
The Competition and Markets Authority sought comments from interested parties last month — a first step towards commencing a deeper examination of a deal that will reshape the global media landscape.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Wickens found time to reflect on his best season yet and career as a whole, amid the weeks-long party that has been commencing in the East Midlands city of Lincoln, after the club won League One in style with 103 points.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Earlier this year, the company announced a publishing administration partnership with 16-time Grammy Award-winner — and Variety’s Hitmakers 2025 songwriter of the year — Bruno Mars, commencing upon the completion of his current deal with BMG/Warner Chappell.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
But soon after pouring millions into upgrading the hydro facility, the company shuttered its Cheboygan operation in 1990, eliminating 300 jobs and commencing the slow decline of the historic mill.
—CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencing
Verb
-
The deduction generally applies to the 2025 to 2028 taxable years (meaning those beginning after December 31, 2024, and before January 1, 2029).—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
From beginning to end, this is one of the rare movies that could be called perfect.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Ahead, shop the tank and more of Stewart’s basics starting at $17.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Fans of Madix will also be thrilled to know that starting Friday, May 29, Peacock subscribers will have the option to choose Madix as their Peacock avatar on the streaming service.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
All are available as ground-floor garden units (timber floors; a king-size bed centered on doors opening onto a private terrace and garden) or upstairs (mirrored in layout but with plush carpets and four-poster beds; views of the surrounding gardens and distant mountains from Juliet balconies).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
The film, which screened at a number of global festivals, has been credited for opening the door for a new wave of Japanese ultra-violent horror and science-fiction cinema.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Cipriano has mostly appeared on the stage rather than the screen, originating the role of Phoenix in Alanis Morissette’s musical Jagged Little Pill on Broadway.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
-
Upcoming estate sales originating from that region include those of Matthew Perry and Carl Reiner.—
Julie Brener Davich,
ARTnews.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Black women, Gregory said, seemed to have a higher incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare form of heart failure arising during or shortly after pregnancy.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2026
-
This demand is arising as traditional automakers face challenges with software execution.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Kirby Smart didn’t mince words when discussing this preferences and questions about the football postseason while appearing at the SEC Spring Meetings on Tuesday.—
Mike Griffith,
AJC.com,
27 May 2026
-
Rabe, who was previously Tony nominated for her role as Portia in The Merchant of Venice, returns to Broadway after recently appearing in the TV series Shrinking.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commencing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencing. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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