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Antonyms for commencement

Grammar : Noun
Spell : kuh-mens-muh nt
Phonetic Transcription : kəˈmɛns mənt

Definition of commencement

Origin :
  • late 13c., "beginning," from Old French comencement "beginning, start" (Modern French commencement), from comencier (see commence). Meaning "school graduation ceremony" attested by 1850, American English. (Sense "entrance upon the privileges of a master or doctor in a university" is from late 14c.)
  • I know what you are thinking of -- the class members grouped in a semicircle on the stage, the three scared boys in new ready-made black suits, the seventeen pretty girls in fluffy white dresses (the gowns of the year), each senior holding a ribbon-tied manuscript bulging with thoughts on "Beyond the Alps Lies Italy," "Our Ship is Launched -- Whither Shall it Sail?" and similar topics. [Charles Moreau Harger, "The Real Commencement," "New Outlook," May 8, 1909]
  • noun ceremony marking the beginning of stage
Example sentences :
  • The commencement of a law and parliamentary library has been made.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • Such was the state of things at the commencement of our story.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • It is now going on seven years since the commencement of this war.
  • Extract from : « A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion » by William Dobein James
  • He had seen me with John during Commencement week, and must have understood matters.
  • Extract from : « The Bacillus of Beauty » by Harriet Stark
  • But Angelique beamed with joy before the commencement of the realisation of her dream.
  • Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola
  • Go—leave me, minister of death, commencement of sin, and child of treason!
  • Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola
  • The task I had set myself to perform seemed only at its commencement yet.
  • Extract from : « Green Mansions » by W. H. Hudson
  • From this hour I date the commencement of my life of real happiness.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • It seemed to threaten no such consequences at its commencement.
  • Extract from : « The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson » by Robert Southey
  • It is customary to eat fish only at the commencement of the dinner.
  • Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie

Synonyms for commencement

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019