command 1 of 2

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2
as in proficiency
a highly developed skill in or knowledge of something a command of French that is the result of a year spent in France as an exchange student

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in headquarters
the place from which a commander runs operations the general set up his command in the old port city

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4
as in seat
a place from which authority is exercised central command

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5
6
as in view
all that can be seen from a certain point from his mountain perch, the scout had a command of the entire valley

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command

2 of 2

verb

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as in to request
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the governor has commanded that all state flags be flown at half-mast

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3
4
5
6
as in to dominate
to look down on for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river

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7
as in to lead
to serve as leader of the head of the agency commands an army of workers trained to respond to the immediate needs of disaster victims

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8
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price commands a high fee for his decorating services

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun command contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of command are authority, control, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When can authority be used instead of command?

The meanings of authority and command largely overlap; however, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

In what contexts can control take the place of command?

Although the words control and command have much in common, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When is it sensible to use dominion instead of command?

While in some cases nearly identical to command, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When is jurisdiction a more appropriate choice than command?

While the synonyms jurisdiction and command are close in meaning, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

Where would power be a reasonable alternative to command?

The synonyms power and command are sometimes interchangeable, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When might sway be a better fit than command?

In some situations, the words sway and command are roughly equivalent. However, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of command
Noun
In contrast to their correspondence in the early 1880s about John’s poetry, in which the older brother seemed to be in command, here the situation was the opposite. Gregory Jusdanis, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025 The longtime major-league veteran struggled with his command; an elevated pitch count ended his outing after 73 pitches. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
The attorney general has enjoyed a commanding polling lead over Cornyn for months amid conservatives’ dissatisfaction with the incumbent senator. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2025 As Rodriguez oversees the teeny dining room, Garcia commands an equally small open kitchen. Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for command
Recent Examples of Synonyms for command
Noun
  • Plus, researchers at the Defcon security conference in Las Vegas last week provided open source instructions for how to build your own quantum sensor at low cost—complete with a special, crucial diamond.
    Lily Hay Newman, Wired News, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Among the available packages are women’s tennis weekends instruction and round-robin play.
    Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Frank used this strategy at Brentford, particularly with Raya and Toney, allowing a third-man runner to profit from his aerial proficiency.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Critics argue that golden visas allow applicants to bypass residency requirements that apply to the rest of the population, such as language proficiency and the need to be in a country for a specific duration before applying.
    Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
  • President Erika Sloane, however, convinces Ethan to return to stop a self-aware artificial intelligence program called The Entity before the AI takes control of all the world’s nuclear arsenals and causes nuclear Armageddon.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • She's reused the footage since in other videos explicitly about Swift (and gotten millions more views).
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The second floor, geared for adults, presented early drafts of Seuss books and ephemera, but no unpacking of his political views.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier in the week, the coastal counties of Dare and Hyde – located in North Carolina's Outer Banks region – ordered residents and tourists to evacuate the vulnerable Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, which see swelling populations during the summer months.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Robby ordered Langdon to attend rehab due to his drug problem in Season 1.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Star requested a comment from the league and asked if any consideration had been given to the heat advisory issued days in advance.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The front desk clerk twice contacted DCS to report apparent signs of abuse and request a welfare check, but the agency did not respond, according to the claim.
    Mary Jo Pitzl, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ukraine is demanding Crimea back and regularly carries out airstrikes with drones and missiles at the Russian forces there.
    Greg Myre, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
  • But then again, the same conventional thinking demanded action last summer when there was so much pressure on Hughes and Slot to make an immediate impression.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The airport sued over that issue, and a court ruled in its favor, entering a temporary injunction directing city officials to use the sales tax money to pay off the bonds.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Earlier this year a Delaware judge ruled that Newsmax did air defamatory statements about Dominion by falsely accusing the company of rigging the 2020 election.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Command.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/command. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.

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