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
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Esmail Qaani was quoted by Iranian state media Thursday saying that Israel must withdraw to pre-war positions as the first step in a ceasefire with Lebanon.
—
Jane Arraf, NPR, 4 June 2026
Ukrainian commanders have also been open about their systematic effort to erode Russian air defenses.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 4 June 2026
Mikkelsen will take the role of mission commander and Philips the role of pilot.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Sally Ride flew as a mission specialist alongside mission commander Robert Crippen, mission pilot Frederick Hauck and fellow mission specialists John Fabian and Norman Thagard.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for commander
Jane Arraf, NPR, 4 June 2026
Ukrainian commanders have also been open about their systematic effort to erode Russian air defenses.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 4 June 2026
Mikkelsen will take the role of mission commander and Philips the role of pilot.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Sally Ride flew as a mission specialist alongside mission commander Robert Crippen, mission pilot Frederick Hauck and fellow mission specialists John Fabian and Norman Thagard.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
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The State Police will also hire a civilian director to work alongside the academy’s commandant, and institute baseline physical and psychological screenings for recruits before the academy begins.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
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Admiral Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard, said the discovery reconnects the service to a defining moment in its history.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What followed was eight straight points for the Knicks captain, but the Spurs took a seven-point advantage into halftime.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Owner Conner Mitchell, former manager Taylor Grant, boat owner Gilmer Grant and boat captain Cody Martin were all involved in catching local fish such as yellowtail, rockfish and Pacific tuna.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Botin said he had been told Saturday’s racing was effectively an exhibition match for the spectators, but Dylan Fletcher, the skipper of the British boat, believed the opposite.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
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Sighting Shebara The speedboat and its four passengers—the captain, the skipper, my aforementioned scuba instructor and I—are cruising along the water when a mirage seems to appear in the distance, strung out like giant pearls floating on top of the sea.—
Lauren Keith,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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