Definition of commencenext

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 Work on the plan to remake Fifth Avenue is seen commencing in 2028 and will extend from Bryant Park to Central Park. David Moin, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 United States Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland on Sunday to commence peace negotiations with senior Iranian officials, as both sides work to expand a fragile interim agreement aimed at ending the war. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 June 2026 Season 2 of The Audacity is set to commence production this month in Vancouver, BC, and will debut in 2027. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 June 2026 Years later, on May 24, 2011, Casey's trial commenced in Orlando. Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • King’s attorney, Bill Mason, began his presentation by referencing Bosworth’s mentioning a defendant can’t be judged for not testifying in their own defense.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • Preliminary construction work is expected to begin soon, and officials estimate the overall project could take at least six years to complete.
    Joan Murray, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • In order to keep the necessities, like Bear Valley Community Hospital, online, BVES shut power off to businesses and homes starting Friday morning for several hours.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 27 June 2026
  • The first baseman started the scoring in the first frame, lining an RBI single before adding a 418-foot solo homer in the third inning.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • The species, which originated in Africa and continues to spread throughout Sacramento and Yolo counties, can carry dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya, diseases that can be life-threatening to humans.
    Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Many common surnames, such as Carpenter or Baker, originated from occupations passed down through generations, reflecting how closely people’s identities were tied to their work.
    Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Many issues will arise, and an HITL is a critical and necessary step in the AI coding process.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • While saying goodbye to its original Idaho store may have been difficult, married owners Ashley Ferguson and David Aboud previously told the Idaho Statesman that the move came after issues arose with the property owner.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • This part of the deal appears to come naturally to Chavarria, who returned to Paris on Friday afternoon for his fourth season at the Men’s Fashion Week.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
  • The president also appears to be counting the South Carolina runoff for governor as two wins after endorsing both candidates in that race.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on commence

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster