Dictionary entry details
• COMMENCE (verb)
Meaning:
Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
begin; start out; start; set out; commence; set about; get down; get
Context examples:
We began working at dawn / Who will start? / Get working as soon as the sun rises! / The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia / He began early in the day / Let's get down to work now
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "commence"):
recommence (begin again)
bestir oneself; get cracking; get going; get moving; get rolling; get started; get weaving (start to be active)
embark; enter (set out on (an enterprise or subject of study))
come on (occur or become available)
launch; plunge (begin with vigor)
break in (start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role)
attack (set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task)
auspicate (commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck)
get to (arrive at the point of)
jump off (set off quickly, usually with success)
fall (begin vigorously)
strike out (set out on a course of action)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing
Sentence example:
They commence moving
Meaning:
Set in motion, cause to start
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
start; commence; lead off; begin
Context examples:
The U.S. started a war in the Middle East / The Iraqis began hostilities / begin a new chapter in your life
Cause:
begin; start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "commence"):
commence; embark on; start; start up (get off the ground)
set off (set in motion or cause to begin)
inaugurate; introduce; usher in (be a precursor of)
recommence (cause to start anew)
jump-start; jumpstart (start or re-start vigorously)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Get off the ground
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Synonyms:
embark on; start up; commence; start
Context examples:
Who started this company? / We embarked on an exciting enterprise / I start my day with a good breakfast / We began the new semester / The afternoon session begins at 4 PM / The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack
Hypernyms (to "commence" is one way to...):
begin; commence; lead off; start (set in motion, cause to start)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "commence"):
inaugurate; kick off (commence officially)
open (begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
