commence originate, inaugurate, begin, start: commence the show Not to be confused with: comments – remarks; observations, annotations, criticisms: There were harsh comments on the performance. com·mence (kə-mĕns′) v. com·menced, com·menc·ing, com·menc·es v.tr. To begin; start. See Synonyms at begin. v.intr. To enter upon or have a beginning ...