Definition of commandernext
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

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2
as in captain
a person in overall command of a ship the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise

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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 commander The show follows Agnes (Infiniti), the daughter of a high-ranking commander enrolled in an elite preparatory school run by Aunt Lydia (Dowd). Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026 Lord John encourages him to attend a British Army lunch session where Ben’s former commander will be. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 Israel’s three-week campaign targets Iran’s Basij force across all levels, from commanders to street-level checkpoints, aiming to weaken the regime’s domestic control. Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 As deputy commander of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, responsible for public security, from 2015–18, Momeni oversaw security responses during the 2017-18 protests, which were met with force. Mehrzad Boroujerdi, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
  • With a German commandant enraged, Edmonds stood his ground and invoked prisoners' rights under international law.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The controversial wording was later removed after two Democratic lawmakers put a hold on Lunday’s nomination for commandant until the manual was changed.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas returned to the lineup after serving a five-game suspension for the knee-on-knee hit on Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
    CBS News, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Such clarity of thought was mirrored in performances of attacking team-mates, including Watkins and Rogers, who have surely benefited from their captain’s return.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The skipper has routinely mentioned the southpaw when asked about the bullpen competition since the Winter Meetings.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez spoke to Neto, as well as Chelsea captain Reece James and PSG skipper Marquinhos, before play resumed.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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