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 Big banks including JPMorgan Chase , Wells Fargo , Citigroup , BlackRock , Bank of New York Mellon and State Street commenced the season on Tuesday morning. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 July 2025 The shootings commenced a two-day manhunt that authorities have described as the largest in state history. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 July 2025 Days after that exchange, Dawson claims in the suit, she was informed the warning letter was being revoked and formal disciplinary proceedings would commence that could lead to termination. John Wisely, Freep.com, 15 July 2025 While Merck has built a solid pipeline and commenced new product launches, the timeline remains tight and the revenue gap significant. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • Castle & Key began restoring the property in 2014 and opened up in September 2018.
    Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
  • City officials began gathering public feedback on the golf carts ordinance in January and February during a listening tour.
    Jake Allen, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • He’s set to start the All-Star Game in right field on Tuesday night.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2025
  • The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Approximately 45 percent of the cargo ending at the Port of Los Angeles typically originates in China, thus causing such significant swings.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 July 2025
  • These 1,100 meteorites originated as fragments flung from the surfaces of the moon and Mars during asteroid impacts before making their way to Earth after a journey through space.
    Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Often problems arise from short-term pollution, which can happen during heavy rainfall that washes waste from sewage plants into the water.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
  • When tech issues arise, fingers, by default, point at the IT team.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • As entrepreneurship becomes more global and technical barriers to entry continue to rise, the demand for operational support appears to be universal.
    Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Misinformation appears to be driving outbreaks of disease in pockets ofcountries that tend to have high vaccination rates, O’Brien said.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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