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
Behind the scenes, however, sources say panic is spreading within the armed forces, as commanders struggle to understand who is really in charge — and how far the United States is willing to go.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Many military commanders were killed.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
For many of these commanders, losing power would mean losing wealth and potentially their life.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
As sector commander, Macon is in charge of operations in the four states surrounding Lake Michigan – Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan – up to Wisconsin's Sturgeon Bay and Michigan’s Leland Peninsula.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commander
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Many military commanders were killed.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
For many of these commanders, losing power would mean losing wealth and potentially their life.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
As sector commander, Macon is in charge of operations in the four states surrounding Lake Michigan – Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan – up to Wisconsin's Sturgeon Bay and Michigan’s Leland Peninsula.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
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Camp Lejeune’s commandant—a man who commanded both respect and wonder—hosted a reception to introduce us to base and community leadership.—
Jay Sloves,
Hartford Courant,
20 Jan. 2026
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Washington — The Senate confirmed Admiral Kevin Lunday as Coast Guard commandant Thursday night after agency guidance on the display of hate symbols such as swastikas and nooses was clarified.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But the Sabres captain has played in 48 games this season while dealing with an unimaginable situation away from the rink.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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The short doesn’t record her confrontation with a flight attendant and the plane’s captain but rather bystanders’ reactions.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Only the skipper, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, has been at the club longer than Lobotka.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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That could be merely some wishful thinking from the skipper, or it could be informed by the workouts and progress Thomson has seen up close.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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