commanding

com·mand·ing

adjective \kə-ˈman-diŋ\

: having a powerful or important quality that attracts attention, respect, etc.

: very likely to result in victory in a race, competition, etc.

: allowing you to see an area very well

Full Definition of COMMANDING

1

:  drawing attention or priority <a commanding presence>

2

:  difficult to overcome <a commanding lead>

— com·mand·ing·ly \-diŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of COMMANDING

1. He has a very commanding voice.
2. She holds a commanding lead in the polls.
3. Our team was in a commanding position as the game neared its end.
4. The castle is in a commanding position at the top of the hill.
5. The hill provides a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.

First Known Use of COMMANDING

1591

Related to COMMANDING

Synonyms

chief, head, first, foremost, high, lead, leading, preeminent, premier, presiding, primary, prime, principal, supereminent, supreme, top

Antonyms

inconspicuous, unemphatic, unflamboyant, unnoticeable, unobtrusive, unremarkable, unshowy

Related Words

high-level, senior; controlling, directing, managing, officiating, overseeing, regnant, reigning, ruling, supervisory; main, major, paramount, predominant, predominate, sovereign (also sovran); ascendant (also ascendent), dominant, grand, superior, topmost, upmost, upper, uppermost

Near Antonyms

ancillary, inferior, last, less, lesser, lower, lowly, second, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary; assistant, assisting, coadjutor, deputy, junior, under

Rhymes with COMMANDING

crash landing, crossbanding, freestanding, hardstanding, long-standing, outstanding, upstanding