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
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
Rollins humorously acknowledged his need to change his current diet before commencing the intensive physical preparations for his comeback.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The event will take place on Thursday, December 4 in Los Angeles, commencing with an intimate cocktail reception and awards ceremony.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025
Hands-down one of the most disgusting movies ever made (a compliment), the film finds the indefatigable slasher, who was decapitated at the end of Terrifier 2, reattaching his head and commencing his ritual slaughters.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Hours ahead of the judge’s deadline, the White House budget office announced reductions in force (RIFs) were commencing after days of threats.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 10 Oct. 2025
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
Rollins humorously acknowledged his need to change his current diet before commencing the intensive physical preparations for his comeback.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The event will take place on Thursday, December 4 in Los Angeles, commencing with an intimate cocktail reception and awards ceremony.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025
Hands-down one of the most disgusting movies ever made (a compliment), the film finds the indefatigable slasher, who was decapitated at the end of Terrifier 2, reattaching his head and commencing his ritual slaughters.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Hours ahead of the judge’s deadline, the White House budget office announced reductions in force (RIFs) were commencing after days of threats.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencing
Verb
-
The band joins Yellowcard for the Up Up Down Down Tour, a 27-date spring outing with Plain White T’s beginning May 6 in Atlanta and concluding June 20 in Springfield, Massachusetts.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Selection Sunday is March 15, with First Four games beginning two days later and the first round following March 19.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The players could feel the former United and Wales winger starting to move up the gears.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The 6-foot-8 power forward played just five minutes in the first game against Houston before the break, scoring on two field goal attempts and one of two free throws, but he will be counted on to back up starting center Brook Lopez.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The backstory Three years after opening La Sultana Marrakech in 2004, its owners sought for a quieter, more intimate spot to unveil their second Moroccan hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
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DeMellier is scaling fast, building serious sales momentum ahead of opening its first flagship in London’s Sloane Square later this year.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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America decided to use all its human resources, not merely those originating from European nations.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
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The study encompassed 13 distinct types of tumors originating from different parts of the body, including the skin, bones, tissue and blood.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Healthcare, arising healthcare costs, the farming industry struggling, food and housing continuing to be out of reach for many.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The doctor tells you that your daughter has pneumonia, a complication arising in roughly 6 percent of measles cases, though some researchers suspect that the actual rate may be higher.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last year was one in which the public got used to seeing androids growing more adept at movement, appearing as showpieces in promotional sport events and other events.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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The moon — appearing fractionally smaller than usual — was unable to cover the entirety of the sun's disk, leaving a thin sliver of its outer edge visible to surround Earth's natural satellite to create a ring in the skies over Antarctica.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commencing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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