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 The grand opening is scheduled for June 14, with regular store hours commencing the following day. Molly Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Insiders at Blumhouse tell The Hollywood Reporter that the soul-searching within the company has already commenced. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025 In fact, he's rarely been heard from at all, save for an effusive compliment to the judge before closing arguments commenced. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 July 2025 In October 2022, the NFLPA commenced a System Arbitration alleging exactly that. Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • The Judiciary Committee ought to begin right away its inquiry.
    CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 2025
  • James’ trial was delayed in November 2024 when attorney Harvey Steinberg withdrew from the case, just weeks before the trial was set to begin.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 13 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
  • However, that was in a small sample size after starting just six games before Russell Wilson returned from a calf injury.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, part of the name Pontianak may originate in the pohon tinggi, or tall trees, that serve as her lair.
    H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 July 2025
  • Fallon Tallent killed two Wilson County police officers during a police pursuit that originated in Knoxville, but how to prove intent was at the heart of the 2004 trial.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • When tech issues arise, fingers, by default, point at the IT team.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • European banks have meanwhile significantly boosted their profits over the last three years as central banks dragged interest rates out of a decade of ultra-low territory, a shift that appears to have been belatedly priced in this year — even with rates now falling .
    Jenni Reid,Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 6 July 2025
  • But relying on natural gas to fill the gap over at least the next five years appears to be both a foolhardy and highly expensive gamble.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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