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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in instructing
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the general commanded his troops with Caesar-like imperiousness
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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
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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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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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8
as in asking
to set or receive as a price
commands a high fee for his decorating services
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as in directing
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commanding
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Colin McKee, commanding officer Diligence.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
Andersen, who previously worked for the San Antonio Police Department, has ruddy cheeks and a commanding presence.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
Mamdani, which currently holds a commanding double-digit lead over Cuomo, has also been supported by stars including actors Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector and Kal Penn and comedian Atsuko Okatsuka.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
This intermediary would then obtain financial and operational information about the business and pass it on to potential bidders, with the goal of starting an auction and commanding as high a price as possible.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Colin McKee, commanding officer Diligence.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Up by 20 points in the third quarter, the Minnesota Lynx failed to take a commanding lead in their WNBA semifinal series Tuesday night.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
Andersen, who previously worked for the San Antonio Police Department, has ruddy cheeks and a commanding presence.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Each of the three colorways released thus far promptly sold out, with the first commanding prices all the way up to $1,700 on the resale market.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
Mamdani, which currently holds a commanding double-digit lead over Cuomo, has also been supported by stars including actors Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector and Kal Penn and comedian Atsuko Okatsuka.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
His dad and prominent local attorney, Alex Murdaugh, was later convicted of the double homicide.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
And while there have been prominent layoff announcements in recent weeks, that doesn’t immediately translate to higher unemployment.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Issue guidance instructing pharmacists and other health care providers to encourage COVID-19 vaccines, as well as to prescribe and administer them.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Goya’s print with this quote originally features a master donkey, seemingly instructing a disciple.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Along with ordering the federal government to use emergency reserves to backfill SNAP benefits, McConnell ruled that all previous work requirement waivers must continue to be honored.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
However, a federal judge in Rhode Island has ruled SNAP must be funded with emergency funds and is ordering an update by Monday.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
De Blasio responded with shock, demanding The Times retract the story.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
But the Senate needs a 60-vote majority of lawmakers to reopen the government, and Democrats have dug their heels in and are demanding the reinstatement of expiring Obamacare subsidies.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The election was triggered in June when Wilders abruptly withdrew support from the governing coalition, accusing his partners of blocking his proposal to halt all asylum migration.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Voters punished Trudeau’s party in the polls, and the new prime minister, Progressive Conservative (PC) leader Brian Mulroney won the largest governing majority in Canadian history in 1984.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fast and Free High-rise Tight 25-inch 5-pocket There’s simply no such thing as having too many pockets, as exhibited by these fan-favorite five-pocket leggings, which are currently $69.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
However, after having the scan, Bishop had the uneasy sense that something wasn’t right.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
China is currently dominating the open-source AI space, according to Andreessen Horowitz’s Anjney Midha.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The Miami Dolphins pulled off a massive bounce-back win against the Atlanta Falcons, dominating the day with a final score of 34-10.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Timothy Trussell, an anthropology professor at Millersville University, is leading the project — and the treasures he's uncovered reveal insight into provincial life.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The Festival, which is the magazine’s signature event, was held in New York City and brought together leading voices in literature, film, comedy, television, politics, and medicine.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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