1
as in began
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 started
to come into existence the games commenced early in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 commenced Her teammates intercepted her and commenced a celebration that finally elicited a Nelson smile. —
Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 While authorities have not confirmed which festival Gillum may have been targeting, his arrest came just one day before the city of New Orleans commenced its annual Jazz & Heritage Festival, which attracts about 400,000 attendees each year. —Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026 Another round of layoffs commenced in March and affected hundreds of employees working in a variety of units, including Facebook, Reality Labs, global operations and sales. —Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 The District immediately commenced an investigation and notified the Nassau County Police Department. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Installation activities have officially commenced for newcleo’s PRECURSOR facility at the ENEA-Brasimone Research Centre. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026 Netflix also shared other casting info as the shoot commenced. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 Additionally, a barely visible scar on her forehead was left from falling asleep in the well as drilling commenced. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 While authorities have not confirmed which festival Gillum may have been targeting, his arrest came just one day before the city of New Orleans commenced its annual Jazz & Heritage Festival, which attracts about 400,000 attendees each year. —Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026 Another round of layoffs commenced in March and affected hundreds of employees working in a variety of units, including Facebook, Reality Labs, global operations and sales. —Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 The District immediately commenced an investigation and notified the Nassau County Police Department. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Installation activities have officially commenced for newcleo’s PRECURSOR facility at the ENEA-Brasimone Research Centre. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026 Netflix also shared other casting info as the shoot commenced. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 Additionally, a barely visible scar on her forehead was left from falling asleep in the well as drilling commenced. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commenced
Verb
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Across forty-five years, my course began that way.— John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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No tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz today, according to tracking data, making Sunday one of the quietest days in the waterway since the conflict began.— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Power-play push The Lightning started the game 0 for 3 on the power play, running their woeful man-advantage run to 1 for 35 over the past 12 games.— Eduardo Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
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Clinton has only started two WSL games and missed this camp through injury.— Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With the Sun's fusion reactions slowing down, the Icarus II is launched to deliver a bomb with a mass equivalent to Manhattan Island, in the hope of reigniting the star before the Earth turns into a giant ice cube.— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 19 Apr. 2026
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This batch of Starlinks included the 3000th launched in 2025.— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The zebra mascot originated in 1927 under unusual circumstances.— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
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The premise remains intact from the series, following Alex Brightman and Sara Chase as Josh Skinner and Melissa Gimble, a modern couple (originated onscreen by Keegan-Michael Key and Cecily Strong) who stumble into a magical town where life unfolds entirely in song.— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Crochet opened the fifth at 60 pitches and got two quick strikeouts before leadoff man Jahmai Jones’ solo homer gave Detroit a 2-1 lead.— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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This is not the first time Denver Book Society owner Rich Garvin has been involved in a disagreement over the new store’s name – a book swap organization started in 2022 called the Denver Book Swap Society also shared concerns about the similar names before Garvin’s store opened in February.— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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More opposition arose from Protect Point Loma, a grassroots organization that formed last year, primarily in opposition to the Rosecrans development.— Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
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During the alleged incident, police said Hooker's children had been visiting him and a dispute arose over the children being taught creationism while being homeschooled, according to a police report.— Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the chimps finally relented, Basie was escorted back home by an over 50-year-old male chimp named BF, who had appeared to be close with Basie over the years.— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
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An initial proposal that appeared before the Glenview Development Commission last year called for three buildings on the site.— Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Following Prince’s death, there was a two-year investigation into the circumstances around his untimely passing.— Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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There was no immediate word on the identities of the perpetrator or the identify of the person who died.— Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commenced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/commenced. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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