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
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2
as in captain
a person in overall command of a ship
the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commander
An incident commander for the Cajun Navy, a volunteer disaster relief group, said people from over six states were aiding.
—
Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2025
David Laude, who served as the crew’s commander, described a typical day.
—Magdalena Petrova, CNBC, 5 July 2025
Noble, who was appointed commander of the MSP last September, said that he’s refreshed the agency’s command staff, including a new deputy superintendent and division commanders.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
Israel launched the air war on June 13, attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders as well as civilians in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq.
—USA Today, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for commander
Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2025
David Laude, who served as the crew’s commander, described a typical day.
—Magdalena Petrova, CNBC, 5 July 2025
Noble, who was appointed commander of the MSP last September, said that he’s refreshed the agency’s command staff, including a new deputy superintendent and division commanders.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
Israel launched the air war on June 13, attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders as well as civilians in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq.
—USA Today, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
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Prior to her appointment to commandant, Fagan served in several other leadership roles, including as vice commandant and commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2025
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Mahoney also performed the duties of acting commandant of the Marine Corps from November 2023 to March 2024 after Gen. Eric Smith suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
18 June 2025
Noun
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At the center of Chicago’s youth movement is Connor Bedard, the 19-year-old center who’s already drawn comparisons to 37-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby for his playmaking on the ice.—
Kaitlyn Pohly,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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The Crystal Cup Finale will be attended by Ryder Cup European team captain Luke Donald and Solheim Cup winner Lexi Thompson, who are serving as official Crystal Cup ambassadors.—
Scott Kramer,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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With Boone managing the American League after winning a pennant last season, there had been some assumptions that the skipper would/could pick Fried to start the exhibition.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
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Former charter skipper Basil Symonette founded Bitter End in the late 1960s.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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