1
as in begins
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 starts
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 commences
The Women’s Super League transfer window commences one day after the Premier League’s, on Tuesday, June 16.
—
Leon Imber, New York Times, 13 June 2026
For borrowers looking to purchase a home or refinance their current one in this climate, however, there are also some strategic moves worth considering now, before the Fed's June meeting even commences.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Homer Gere, Yvonne Chapman, Ellen Barkin, Willem Dafoe and Michael Douglas have rounded out the cast of Oliver Stone‘s upcoming pic White Lies as principal photography commences.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow (the weeks leading up to the celestial backspin when the planet slows down), which began on June 13 in water Cancer, starts the story for the planet’s moonwalk that commences on June 29.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 10 June 2026
Looking back at Barber, Spark commences some light back-pedaling.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Falling back to the pack and seven points shy of San Jose, which won 4-1 at BMO Stadium on Sunday, LAFC has seen its recent MLS stumbles coincide with advancing to a two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal, which commences Wednesday at BMO Stadium and ends May 6 in Toluca, Mexico.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
But the Passover Seder also commences the 50-day historical journey to Mount Sinai, the metaphorical site where the Jewish people received the Torah, the laws and traditions that gave shape to their journey, their culture and societal structure.
—Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
All changes take effect June 18 except for Cartagena, which commences June 11.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Leon Imber, New York Times, 13 June 2026
For borrowers looking to purchase a home or refinance their current one in this climate, however, there are also some strategic moves worth considering now, before the Fed's June meeting even commences.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Homer Gere, Yvonne Chapman, Ellen Barkin, Willem Dafoe and Michael Douglas have rounded out the cast of Oliver Stone‘s upcoming pic White Lies as principal photography commences.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow (the weeks leading up to the celestial backspin when the planet slows down), which began on June 13 in water Cancer, starts the story for the planet’s moonwalk that commences on June 29.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 10 June 2026
Looking back at Barber, Spark commences some light back-pedaling.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Falling back to the pack and seven points shy of San Jose, which won 4-1 at BMO Stadium on Sunday, LAFC has seen its recent MLS stumbles coincide with advancing to a two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal, which commences Wednesday at BMO Stadium and ends May 6 in Toluca, Mexico.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
But the Passover Seder also commences the 50-day historical journey to Mount Sinai, the metaphorical site where the Jewish people received the Torah, the laws and traditions that gave shape to their journey, their culture and societal structure.
—Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
All changes take effect June 18 except for Cartagena, which commences June 11.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commences
Verb
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On-site Hawaiian cultural programming helps visitors connect with the islands' history and culture, and the complimentary Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Experience that begins with a traditional sunrise chant is not to be missed.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Each aircraft launches autonomously, carries out reconnaissance and target acquisition tasks, then returns to the vehicle or installation for capture and recharging before the next sortie begins.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Caffeine starts to work within an hour and typically lasts four to six hours.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
9 June 2026
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And once the gate agent starts calling for volunteers or selecting passengers to deny boarding, late check-ins are often at the top of the list.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Some have also raised pointed questions about whether BPC-157 originates in the human body at all.—
Sara Talpos — Undark,
STAT,
1 June 2026
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But there is also the possibility that the neutrino originates from a diffuse flux produced by a population of extreme accelerators, such as blazars.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
That's typically where confusion arises.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
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If such an opportunity arises, producers would be well served by bringing this entire exceptional cast out east to perform it.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Verb
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So while on paper Mecklenburg’s child care system appears relatively stable — roughly 500 licensed providers, a net gain of licensed slots last year, no mass wave of closures — Hazeldine says that’s an incomplete picture.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
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But rather than addressing them, Kennedy appears to be attempting to push vaccine compensation on to the civil court system—and, potentially, expose drug makers to unlimited liability.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commences. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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