commencement

noun

kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt How to pronounce commencement (audio)
Definition of commencementnext
as in beginning
the point at which something begins there was a large turnout at the commencement of the conference, but the numbers dwindled as it progressed

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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 commencement If, for example, a commencement speaker praising the value of artificial intelligence is met with jeers from graduates – as former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was in May 2026 – the speaker’s message is immediately rendered inert. — Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 In July, the City Council approved a fourth request for more modifications to the redevelopment agreement — which pushed back the project’s commencement from July 31, 2026, to July 31, 2027, according to city documents. — Taylor O'Connor 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 Ben Affleck gave the commencement speech at her graduation from the Ivy League, with Bruce Willis, older sister Rumer, and Willis’s wife Emma Heming Willis in attendance for Scout’s milestone moment. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 El-Sayed graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biology and political science and delivered the commencement speech. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commencement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencement
  1. beginning
  2. start
  3. inception
  4. onset
  5. launch
Noun
  • The question that matters most A famous name should be the beginning of the conversation, not the end of it.
    — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The new findings indicate that last year’s increases were a momentary surge, rather than the beginning of a positive trend.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of beginning
Noun
  • To stay in the chase, the Twins desperately need collective performances such as Sunday’s when Zebby Matthews provided a dominant start and the lineup pieced together enough offense to avoid a sweep at the hands of Chicago.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, when Malik Nabers’ first-round selection changed the depth chart, Slayton memorably caught only 10 total passes for 122 yards in the Giants’ first four games during a 1-3 start.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of start
Noun
  • After each meeting, a colleague would ask if there had been any progress citing the days, months and finally years since the committee’s inception.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Milford Public Library serves both village and township residents and maintains special collections on autism, genealogy and the Civil War, as well as microfilmed editions of the Milford Times dating to the newspaper’s inception.
    — Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of inception
Noun
  • At the onset of summer season the airport similarly saw a decline in its passenger forecast amid rising energy prices.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
  • At its onset, the school president had asked people to embrace those within their proximity.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of onset
Noun
  • Training units would not need to replace the complete launch pod after every firing cycle.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • After the launch of the iPhone in 2007 transformed the smartphone industry, BlackBerry fought hard to keep its consumer mobile division alive with new devices — but ultimately lost the battle.
    — Arjun Kharpal,Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of launch

Browse Nearby Words

commenced
commencement
commencements
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Cite this Entry

“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencement. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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