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
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Advertisement Along with restoring the center’s name, Judge Cooper also reversed the board’s decision to shut it down for two years beginning on July 5.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
13 June 2026
-
Just a few neighborhoods away, another revolution was brewing at CBGB, where punk rock was beginning to rewrite the city’s soundtrack.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Alchemist Kitchen spins food business gold Several of the businesses identified are graduates of the Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA), a 12-week business training course that teaches the basics of starting a food business.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
Ohtani was one of two members of the Dodgers starting rotation who left the game injured.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The prosecution and defense both waived their right to opening statements in the sentencing phase.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
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The shame of opening the door to them in my filthy pajamas, of letting them into an apartment that had not been cleaned or aired for days.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Animals originating from states with NWS infestation zones must be inspected and examined for screwworm within 5 days before entering Colorado.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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The Charlotte airport processes around 35,000 originating passengers daily, with originating passengers making up around a third of the airport’s total air traffic.—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Widespread rumors, often arising from fear and misinformation, discourage residents from adhering to health warnings or seeking medical help during an outbreak, health officials say.—
Ope Adetayo,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
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And, unlike Section 122, there’s no limit to the level or duration of tariffs arising from Section 301 investigations.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Pino began to get emotional while Srebnick discussed the close friendship between the teens and families, appearing distraught and breathing deeply.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
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The two have cultivated a strong mother-daughter bond over the years, with Bryn frequently appearing in Frankel's social media posts.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commencing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencing. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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