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 Last Looks — The final chance for hair & makeup, costume design, gaffers, and production design to make adjustments before commencing a take. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 17 May 2025 Principal photography is scheduled to commence in early 2026. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 May 2025 Once the second half commenced, BC High drained the clock for the majority of the third quarter, before putting the pedal to the medal in the final stanza. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025 Principal photography will commence in the fall, according to the announcement. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for commence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commence
Verb
  • In Afghanistan, a war that began after 9/11, 2,465 American lives were lost, and half that many allied troops in the campaign to oust Al Qaeda.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
  • An uptick in recruiting that began last summer has carried over into 2025 so far.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Known to his fans as King Vamp, the Opium label founder started as a SoundCloud rapper in Atlanta and successfully wave-hopped his way from Awful Records to A$AP Mob to Kanye West on the path to superstardom.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 28 May 2025
  • Born with Sickle Cell Disease, Woolford started a non-profit, Sickle Cell Reproductive Education Directive, that advocates for patients like herself.
    Katia Riddle, NPR, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • But in other rituals, choice cuts were left raw for the gods, a display that proved to the gods where the meat originated.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 16 May 2025
  • Parts may originate in anywhere from 50 to 120 countries.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • However, with a strategic approach and dedication, opportunities will arise.
    Jay Garcia, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Over time, writing arose in multiple locations in Asia and Africa.
    Sam Kean, The Atlantic, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Benson made a brief but memorable cameo in the live-action film, appearing as a vendor at a marketplace who hands Bailey a fork on land.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 19 May 2025
  • The convex & concave mirrors forming the book jacket exaggerate expressions, making others appear stretched, squished, & altered, mirroring the elasticity of the poems themselves.
    Terrance Hayes, New Yorker, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commence. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

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