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
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Recent Examples of commencement
D'Youville University in New York faced criticism after using an AI robot named Sophia to give its commencement speech last year.
—
Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Since the commencement of his second term, thousands of undocumented immigrants have been apprehended and hundreds deported.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Following the commencement of the band’s U.K. and Ireland tour, Fontaines D.C.’s fourth LP Romance rises 15 places to finish the week at No. 13; the record originally went to No. 2 in August, and was beaten to the top spot during Carpenter’s reign at the top of the charts.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2024
In 1979, Radner gave the commencement speech—fully in character as Roseanne Roseannadanna—to the graduating class at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, part of which wound up on her comedy album Gilda Radner: Live From New York, released that same year.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Since the commencement of his second term, thousands of undocumented immigrants have been apprehended and hundreds deported.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Following the commencement of the band’s U.K. and Ireland tour, Fontaines D.C.’s fourth LP Romance rises 15 places to finish the week at No. 13; the record originally went to No. 2 in August, and was beaten to the top spot during Carpenter’s reign at the top of the charts.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2024
In 1979, Radner gave the commencement speech—fully in character as Roseanne Roseannadanna—to the graduating class at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, part of which wound up on her comedy album Gilda Radner: Live From New York, released that same year.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commencement
Noun
-
The beginning really took place three or four weeks ago.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
-
This modest beginning took place in the midst of late Abstract Expressionism’s supremacy (Willem de Kooning was a favorite), Andy Warhol’s Factory, the countercultural music of artists like the Fugs, and the plentiful readings and parties of a vibrant downtown scene.—
David S. Wallace,
The New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Adrian Kempe scored for the Kings, and Darcy Kuemper — fresh off shutouts in his last two starts — had 19 saves and had his shutout streak end at 176:06.—
Austin Knoblauch,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2025
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About Riley Green Riley Green got his start playing in bars and restaurants around his hometown of Jacksonville, Alabama—and lately he’s been performing in stadiums for tens of thousands.—
Sid Evans,
Southern Living,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In this context, the AI Alliance established an impressive list of goals right from its inception.—
Paul Smith-Goodson,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Since its inception, Universal Standard, which is headquartered in Brooklyn, has fulfilled over one million orders.—
Lisa Lockwood,
WWD,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The world has been in a state of perpetual transformation since the onset of the pandemic.—
Pablo Listingart,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Measles rash appears three to five days after the onset of the first symptoms.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The launch of the network in 2014 was a watershed moment.—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
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The drop came despite the launch of such news series as Dark Matter on Apple TV+ and Cruel Intentions on Amazon Prime Video.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commencement. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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