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 carrier noted that both aircraft were flown by highly experienced crews, each with its own commander, co-pilot and safety or technical officer. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Each jet had three senior captains onboard, Airlink said, operating in the roles of a commander, a co-pilot and a safety officer. — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Rather than immediately exposing maneuver forces to direct contact, Russian commanders typically first attempt to inflict sufficient losses on Ukrainian defenders to make the subsequent assault more manageable. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

His name is Ernst Kaltenbrunner, an SS general who two weeks earlier was named commander-in-chief of all German forces in southern Europe. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing commander

• commander in chief