1
as in presiding
highest in rank or authority
with the death of the general, he instantly became the commanding officer on the field of battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prominent
likely to attract attention
even in a room filled with world leaders, he was a commanding presence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in directing
Related Words
1
as in instructing
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the general commanded his troops with Caesar-like imperiousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ordering
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority
the governor has commanded that all state flags be flown at half-mast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demanding
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
an act of courage that commands the admiration of all who witnessed it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in governing
to exercise authority or power over
a cabinet secretary who commands the largest department in the federal government
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5
as in having
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
local government does not command the resources that are needed to respond to such a huge disaster
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in dominating
to look down on
for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river
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7
as in leading
to serve as leader of
the head of the agency commands an army of workers trained to respond to the immediate needs of disaster victims
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in asking
to set or receive as a price
commands a high fee for his decorating services
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commanding
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Xi’s expected to be a commanding presence as host, opposite a US president known more for relying on gut instinct than meticulous preparation.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 4 May 2026
And then there’s Bottner’s singing voice; from the deepest corner of his lungs comes a commanding bellow with a low, rattling timbre, like a cross between Bill Callahan and Jason Molina.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
The Knicks have now taken a commanding 3-1 Finals lead with the series shifting to Frost Bank Center for Game 5 on Saturday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
Lebidine’s last assignment was as the commanding general of the 4th Marine Division from November 2015 to April 2017.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Xi’s expected to be a commanding presence as host, opposite a US president known more for relying on gut instinct than meticulous preparation.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Noun
Cole, a contractor who specializes in building restaurants, is the Lexington Minute Men's captain commanding.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 4 May 2026
And then there’s Bottner’s singing voice; from the deepest corner of his lungs comes a commanding bellow with a low, rattling timbre, like a cross between Bill Callahan and Jason Molina.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
But through four games, with the Knicks holding a commanding 3-1 series lead, Wembanyama has done little to justify the hype.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
The Knicks have now taken a commanding 3-1 Finals lead with the series shifting to Frost Bank Center for Game 5 on Saturday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
Cultus Lake Waterpark's chief administrative officer, Andrew Steunenberg, reportedly said those injured were not in the water or on any rides at the time of the incident.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Anna Marsh, the CEO of StudioCanal and chief content officer of Canal+, lauded the creative team including Friedman and Lumley.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The durability of this group will play a prominent role in the defense’s overall success.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
In 2022, a prominent former member of the national team was arrested for allegedly protesting against the country’s leadership, and star striker Sardar Azmoun wasn’t selected for the World Cup squad this year, reportedly because of a social media post that angered authorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Taylor’s career has evolved across music, film, television, directing and fashion.—
Naomi Jeffries,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
-
Presented by The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, the Tony Awards are considered the most prestigious honors in theater, recognizing excellence across acting, directing, design and more.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Rather than instructing children to look outside of themselves to a world filled with cruelty and injustice, we are encouraged to turn inward, to the self, and then smaller still, to the womb of one’s discontent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Dec. 2025
-
China balked, instructing companies to stop purchasing H20s due to security concerns.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Connecticut legislators this winter considered ordering a feasibility study, but opted against it.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
10 June 2026
-
In bodycam footage, officers are heard ordering the driver to turn the vehicle off.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
State regulations require specific teacher-to-child ratios, and those ratios become especially demanding with infants and toddlers.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
Addressing reporters for the first time since The Associated Press projected a November runoff between her and Mayor Karen Bass, Raman said residents are losing faith in the city’s ability to solve even basic problems and are demanding a different approach.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Within a year, authorities must regulate procedures governing the country’s cattle identification and traceability systems and establish due diligence requirements for deforestation-free cattle ranching.—
Steven Grattan,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
At the center are the lawmaking and governing institutions.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Before Mexico-South Africa kicks off here in a few minutes, FIFA is marching in all 48 flags for the countries participating in the tournament and having the flag-bearers stand in a circle at midfield.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The genre by definition requires re-enactments, and does the act of gathering a bunch actors and going to Tehran (or Morocco) give more credibility to the project than having a computer do it?—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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