commanding

adjective

com·​mand·​ing kə-ˈman-diŋ 

1

: drawing attention or priority

a commanding presence

2

: difficult to overcome

a commanding lead

commandingly

kə-ˈman-diŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of commanding

• presiding
• chief
• leading
• supreme
• lead
• top
• foremost
• primary
• high
• senior
• first

Examples of commanding in a Sentence

He has a very commanding voice.

She holds a commanding lead in the polls.

Our team was in a commanding position as the game neared its end.

The castle is in a commanding position at the top of the hill.

The hill provides a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adrián Marín set up the play with his pass to Tiago as Orlando took what seemed to be a commanding lead in the second half. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Arendt comes most fully alive, though, when Meyer lets her own extravagant, commanding voice carry the story forward. — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

In neighboring Wisconsin, Francesca Hong, who previously aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, has what appears to be a commanding lead in the gubernatorial primary. — Tamara Keith, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Eventually, Skubal morphed into the game’s best and most commanding pitcher. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing commanding

• commanding officer
• commanding presence

Rhymes for commanding

• demanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding
• misbranding
• outstanding
• remanding
• upstanding
• withstanding
• banding
• branding
• handing