commander in chief

noun phrase

Synonyms of commander in chiefnext
: one who holds the supreme command of an armed force

Examples of commander in chief in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Republicans have largely stood by the commander in chief, but will soon be faced with more consequential wartime choices. Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026 Now that the price of diesel fuel has gone through the roof, once again, our commander in chief has stepped up to the podium with more sage advice, this time to truckers, telling them to fill their diesel-engine vehicles with regular gas. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026 The commander in chief’s language in that post, and many others like it, is a departure from past presidents’ rhetoric. Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 Many people, of course, fully back the needs of our commander in chief and have backed him consistently. Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commander in chief

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of commander in chief was in 1654

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Cite this Entry

“Commander in chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commander%20in%20chief. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

commander in chief

: one who holds the supreme command of an armed force

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