1
as in presiding
highest in rank or authority
with the death of the general, he instantly became the commanding officer on the field of battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prominent
likely to attract attention
even in a room filled with world leaders, he was a commanding presence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in directing
Related Words
1
as in instructing
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the general commanded his troops with Caesar-like imperiousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ordering
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority
the governor has commanded that all state flags be flown at half-mast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demanding
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
an act of courage that commands the admiration of all who witnessed it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in governing
to exercise authority or power over
a cabinet secretary who commands the largest department in the federal government
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5
as in having
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
local government does not command the resources that are needed to respond to such a huge disaster
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in dominating
to look down on
for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river
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7
as in leading
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in asking
to set or receive as a price
commands a high fee for his decorating services
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commanding
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
In the case of Project Nightingale, that number is constrained by the fact that only 100 examples of the commanding convertible will be built.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
Go back long enough and pink was considered entirely appropriate for creating a commanding, masculine look.
—Adam Mansuroglu, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2026
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
The Canes now await the winner of the Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins series, where the Flyers held a commanding 3-0 series lead entering Saturday night’s Game 4.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
Starlink has 10,000 satellites, a commanding lead over Amazon’s 200-strong Leo constellation; Globalstar has a further 25, but the real prize is control over part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
In the case of Project Nightingale, that number is constrained by the fact that only 100 examples of the commanding convertible will be built.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
Shea’s commanding lead was not at all unexpected.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
Go back long enough and pink was considered entirely appropriate for creating a commanding, masculine look.
—Adam Mansuroglu, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
And the aoudad have a commanding reproductive advantage.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
The Canes now await the winner of the Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins series, where the Flyers held a commanding 3-0 series lead entering Saturday night’s Game 4.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
The couple, who married last year in Italy, have become increasingly prominent in fashion circles, a particular passion of Sánchez Bezos, 56, who also serves as vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, another passion.—
Adam Carlson,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
The school has become the continent’s most prominent professional dance training institution in recent years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The series will additionally vie for directing and comedy, with the official selections still to be determined.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The adaptation of Thomas Harris' novel was first set up with Gene Hackman directing and potentially starring.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to a live feed from The New York Times, within minutes of the third day starting, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had to reproach Musk, instructing him to stop being sarcastic and evasive.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Also, the researchers sometimes caught the Claudes trying to cheat by simply instructing the strong model directly rather than figuring out ways to get the weak teacher to supervise the strong model.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike dining out or ordering takeout, the etiquette around tipping for flower delivery isn’t always clear-cut.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 May 2026
-
The company's owner offered help, ordering staff to ship replacements from ES Windows' manufacturing complex in Barranquilla, Colombia.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
It is said, in these parts, that the ever meticulous De Zerbi was every bit as demanding on the ground staff as his players.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
The current state of the case entails Russ demanding a court declaration that his use of Denaro Puro doesn’t infringe Nike, that Nike’s trade dress claims are invalid, and that Nike’s rights in Pure Money are unenforceable with respect to Denaro Puro.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet public concerns remain that there aren’t enough regulations governing when or how AI should be used, and that the technology would replace jobs and leave too many Californians unemployed.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Transcribed interviews have no regulations governing them.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Though signs of its impending closure were all around this past weekend, the New Black Wall Street Market was having one last hurrah.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors say Maduro and Rodriguez authorized a series of payments totaling $20 million under terms of the PDV USA contract before having a falling out with Rivera’s group by the end of 2017.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If consumers are in the market for an affordable electric car, similar to the vehicles dominating Chinese vehicle sales, the Bolt may check all the boxes.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
That ambiguity has encouraged some investors and companies to believe that the era of geopolitics dominating cross-border economic activity may be receding.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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