Synonyms of commander

commander

noun

kə-ˈman-dər 

1

as in commandant

one in official command especially of a military force or base

a surrender of the fort by the commander without a single shot having been fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commandant
• captain
• commanding officer
• commander in chief
• commissioned officer
• field officer

2

as in captain

a person in overall command of a ship

the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• captain
• skipper
• pilot
• admiral
• officer
• skip
• master
• sea captain
• commanding officer
• commodore
• vice admiral
• mate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crew
• crewman
• crewmate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of commander

The incident commanders on the Snyder and Jones fires did not have clear information about the location of the firefighters on the Knowles and Gore fires to the east, the report said. — ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026

That’s a pretty important fact for the commander-in-chief not to know. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026

Aldrin became the second person to walk on the moon during Apollo 11, and Lovell became the commander of Apollo 13. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 11 Nov. 2026

In footage reviewed by CNN from before and after the strikes, no military infrastructure was visible, though authorities confirmed that a military commander and a military paramedic were killed at the site. — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026

Phrases Containing commander

• commander in chief