1
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
commence the festivities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to start
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 commence
Big banks including JPMorgan Chase , Wells Fargo , Citigroup , BlackRock , Bank of New York Mellon and State Street commenced the season on Tuesday morning.
—
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 July 2025
The shootings commenced a two-day manhunt that authorities have described as the largest in state history.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 July 2025
Days after that exchange, Dawson claims in the suit, she was informed the warning letter was being revoked and formal disciplinary proceedings would commence that could lead to termination.
—John Wisely, Freep.com, 15 July 2025
While Merck has built a solid pipeline and commenced new product launches, the timeline remains tight and the revenue gap significant.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for commence
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 July 2025
The shootings commenced a two-day manhunt that authorities have described as the largest in state history.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 July 2025
Days after that exchange, Dawson claims in the suit, she was informed the warning letter was being revoked and formal disciplinary proceedings would commence that could lead to termination.
—John Wisely, Freep.com, 15 July 2025
While Merck has built a solid pipeline and commenced new product launches, the timeline remains tight and the revenue gap significant.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
-
Entering the critical two-week stretch before the August primary, Detroit mayoral candidates began pouring in their campaign finances reports to hit the July 25 deadline, with at least one contender hitting the $1 million mark.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
26 July 2025
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And with this email begins a journey through so much of what Nashville has to offer.—
Benjamin Goad,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
He’s set to start the All-Star Game in right field on Tuesday night.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 July 2025
-
The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Thursday — Day 122 of the 140-day legislative session — was the last day for bills that originated in the House to be considered on first reading by that chamber under the rules its members agreed to in January.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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But no one says it better than Patrick Renna, who originated the line as the trash-talking, quick-witted, and unapologetic character Ham Porter.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
Often problems arise from short-term pollution, which can happen during heavy rainfall that washes waste from sewage plants into the water.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
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When tech issues arise, fingers, by default, point at the IT team.—
Noah Barsky,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes in his bullpen management, Shildt has appeared extra urgent to win a game.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 July 2025
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After someone else tries to break up the fight, the man in the white shirt appears to say something to a man wearing a red shirt.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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