COMMENCES Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

commences

verb

present tense third-person singular of commence

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

as in starts

to come into existence the games commenced early in the morning

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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 commences As the offseason commences, the Sixers are comprised pretty much of their top four and spare parts. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Looking back at Barber, Spark commences some light back-pedaling. — Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 All changes take effect June 18 except for Cartagena, which commences June 11. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 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 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 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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commences

Verb

The second moves to a restaurant for breakfast or lunch—and that’s where the real assessment begins.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
As attention begins to shift from rescue to reconstruction, the country’s engineering community is mobilizing to assess thousands of damaged structures.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of begins

Verb

The conservative assault on child health starts with the anti-vaccine campaign and proceeds to cutbacks in nutrition assistance and narrowed access to healthcare.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Porro starts at right back, with Marcos Llorente dropping to the bench.

— Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of starts

Verb

This shower, which originates from the debris of Comet 96P/Machholz, typically produces about 25 meteors per hour.

— Michael d'Estries, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
The studio Sanzigen was responsible for this part of production, reserved for when the film touched upon the ‘ethereal’ dimension from which Okon originates.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 23 June 2026

Definition of originates

Verb

Following such a notable increase, a crucial inquiry arises regarding what could facilitate further advancement.

— Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
This common form of anxiety arises when dogs are left alone for an amount of time, often worrying that they will permanently be left behind.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

Definition of arises

Verb

That appears to be what gave Weiser the edge to defeat Bennet in what started as an uphill battle due largely to name recognition.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026
McKinney’s name appears on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines, one of 36,286 service members who were lost or never recovered during the war in the Pacific.

— Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

Definition of appears

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commencements

commences

commencing

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“Commences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commences. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of commences

verb

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