commanding

adjective

com·​mand·​ing kə-ˈman-diŋ 

1

: drawing attention or priority

a commanding presence

2

: difficult to overcome

a commanding lead

commandingly

kə-ˈman-diŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• presiding
• chief
• leading
• supreme
• lead
• top
• foremost
• primary
• high
• senior
• first
• principal

Examples of commanding in a Sentence

He has a very commanding voice.

She holds a commanding lead in the polls.

Our team was in a commanding position as the game neared its end.

The castle is in a commanding position at the top of the hill.

The hill provides a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.

Recent Examples on the Web

Five minutes later, an own goal by Inter Miami defender Tomas Aviles, who was subbed into the match in the 19th minute, gave PSG a commanding 3-0 lead. —Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 29 June 2025

The Democratic Socialist state Assembly member defied expectations and took a commanding lead in Tuesday's New York City mayoral primary. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 26 June 2025

Mamdani declared victory early Wednesday morning after coming out of primary night with a commanding lead over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who conceded late Tuesday. —Julia Manchester, The Hill, 25 June 2025

Brad Hoylman-Sigal held a commanding lead over Keith Powers in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Manhattan Borough President. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing commanding

• commanding officer
• commanding presence

Rhymes for commanding

• demanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding
• misbranding
• outstanding
• remanding
• upstanding
• withstanding
• banding
• branding
• handing