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
Lawrence sacrifices himself, as well as Nick and Wharton, by sneaking a bomb onto the commanders' D.C.-bound plane.
—
EW.com, 20 May 2025
In September 2022, the Kremlin agreed to free all of the top commanders from Azovstal in what became the biggest swap of the war up to that point.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 16 May 2025
Hours later, as the commanders slept at home in a medicated stupor, the handmaids spread out all over with the intent of killing Gilead’s leaders in their sleep.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 May 2025
When his estranged son vanishes during a space mission, a once-legendary, now fallen from grace shuttle commander is pulled into a high-stakes hostage exchange in space to get his boy back from captors who are not from Earth.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for commander
EW.com, 20 May 2025
In September 2022, the Kremlin agreed to free all of the top commanders from Azovstal in what became the biggest swap of the war up to that point.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 16 May 2025
Hours later, as the commanders slept at home in a medicated stupor, the handmaids spread out all over with the intent of killing Gilead’s leaders in their sleep.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 May 2025
When his estranged son vanishes during a space mission, a once-legendary, now fallen from grace shuttle commander is pulled into a high-stakes hostage exchange in space to get his boy back from captors who are not from Earth.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
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The photo album belonged to Karl Höcker, a former bank clerk who came to Auschwitz to be commandant Richard Baer’s right-hand man.—
Karen D'Souza,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
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Soon afterward, some online noted that the band’s X account had been deactivated and assumed — incorrectly — it was tied to Casey’s criticism of President Trump and his co-president, X commandant Elon Musk.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Does the 118 get a new captain? Following Bobby's death, the 118 saw their dickish ex-captain, Gerrard, temporarily step back into the role.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
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The Spanish midfielder grew in stature and status under Mourinho, and at one point looked like captain material.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Noun
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By this time, the wind had reached 30 knots, or about 34 miles per hour, and the ship was beginning to lean to one side — and the deckhand ran to wake the skipper, which happened around 4 a.m.—
Greta Bjornson,
People.com,
15 May 2025
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Bayesian’s skipper, James Cutfield, told the overnight watchkeepers to wake him if the wind speed increased above 23 mph or if the boat started dragging anchor, the report said.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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