COMMENCE Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

commence

verb

kə-ˈmen(t)s

Definition of commence

as in to begin

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) commence the festivities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to start

to come into existence the games commenced early in the morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Subject to permitting, regulatory authorizations and financing, synthetic AAM production at the Ohio facility is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2027, with natural graphite production at Graphite Creek targeted for 2029. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026 Scott’s trial commenced on June 1, 2004, in Redwood City after Judge Alfred Delucchi approved a change of venue from Modesto due to the media scrutiny. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026 Deliveries are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026 With a fury inside him, Garfield unleashes violence against them and commences the rebellion. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for commence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence

Verb

That trial is scheduled to begin next month, but could be pushed back or canceled altogether depending on what the judge decides.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Episodes of the Premier League Years, the Sky Sports show that boils down each season into two hours and is arguably the UK’s greatest cultural achievement, often begin with a montage of that season’s new arrivals.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of begin

Verb

Tamekia Morris didn’t start her career thinking about welding torches or HVAC units.

— Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Hopes for an imminent US-Iran deal to end the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz added to optimism that oil and gas, along with other key products, would again start flowing freely after more than five months of war.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of start

Verb

The lawsuit lists several members of the Religious Neutrality group and their religious affiliations, including two Jewish parents and a student, one Hindu parent and one Zoroastrian parent, which is a religion that originated in Iran.

— Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Air Jordan 11 Retro Pantone Released to the public in 2014, the Pantone Air Jordan 11 originated as an exclusive sample, which was showcased as part of the 2010 World Basketball Festival.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of originate

Verb

The working-out of that vision, by way of experience that arises from her sudden change of circumstances, is the movie’s emotional and intellectual heart, its main line, abstract in form but altogether concrete in the decisions that result.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
In his view, many teens are approaching these chatbots for emotional support, but problems arise because these products were not intended for that purpose.

— Alex Hartman, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of arise

Verb

Mathers was set to appear for sentencing on Thursday for the February case and a probable cause conference in the May case.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
But those concerns didn’t stop groups of Catholics from joining a recent joyous pilgrimage on Mount Tabor, where the Gospels say Jesus appeared transfigured alongside the Jewish prophets Moses and Elijah.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of appear

Cite this Entry

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“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of commence

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