Synonym Chooser

How is the word commence different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of commence are begin, inaugurate, initiate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

How does the word begin relate to other synonyms for commence?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

Where would inaugurate be a reasonable alternative to commence?

The words inaugurate and commence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When is initiate a more appropriate choice than commence?

In some situations, the words initiate and commence are roughly equivalent. However, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

When could start be used to replace commence?

The synonyms start and commence are sometimes interchangeable, but start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How do usher in and inaugurate relate to one another, in the sense of commence?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of commence The band is set to commence their tour in Alabama on July 9 before making their way throughout the United States toward the end of August. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025 In the last 48 hours alone, President Trump put out his executive order to make pretty clear that DOGE continues to have his full support and would be able to continue commencing with large-scale workforce cuts across the board. Katie Drummond, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2025 Principal photography is anticipated to commence in Ireland spring 2025. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025 There are plenty of reasons for optimism with the Patriots including new coach Mike Vrabel and the roster rebuild that could soon commence as a result of the Pats having more cap space than any other team. Chad Graff, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • Before the ceremony began, Chalamet was spotted holding hands and kissing girlfriend Kylie Jenner inside the Dolby Theatre.
    Lexi Carson, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The Eaton Fire, meanwhile, had just begun in nearby Altadena at around 6:18 p.m. local time.
    Hanna Park, Karina Tsui and Amanda Jackson, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Love, playing in just his 21st game this season with the Heat, started and scored 10 points with six rebounds.
    Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • He’s started 44 of a possible 51 games in the last three years.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Looking farther into the future, the low-rate mortgages originated in the early 2020s will last for decades, causing low mobility.
    Bill Conerly, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The tradition of receiving ashes originates from biblical times when wearing sackcloth and ashes symbolized repentance.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the problem on the tour most likely wouldn’t have arisen in Illinois, whose legislators noticed a problem and addressed it.
    Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • In Buddhism, despair is a natural human experience that arises from clinging to desires.
    Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The downside, warn many of the officials who appear in Disclosure, is that keeping this information secret and compartmentalized within the government and the military industrial complex could result in an intelligence failure exponentially worse than what happened with 9/11.
    Johnny Dodd, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • That appeared to have been the start of a wider onslaught by Assad loyalists, who launched coordinated attacks on government positions in the country’s northwest, killing and imprisoning members of the security forces.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on commence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!