start out vs commence

start out and commence both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
start out	No	No	Yes	No
commence	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, start out and commence are synonyms defined as:

start out and commence: take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

Other synonyms of start out include begin, get, get down, set about, set out, start.

start out (verb)	commence (verb)
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action	take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
depart for someplace	set in motion, cause to start
	get off the ground