command 1 of 2

Definition of commandnext
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as in proficiency
a highly developed skill in or knowledge of something a command of French that is the result of a year spent in France as an exchange student

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in headquarters
the place from which a commander runs operations the general set up his command in the old port city

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as in seat
a place from which authority is exercised central command

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as in view
all that can be seen from a certain point from his mountain perch, the scout had a command of the entire valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

command

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verb

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as in to request
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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as in to dominate
to look down on for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river

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as in to lead
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

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as in to ask
to set or receive as a price commands a high fee for his decorating services

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun command contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of command are authority, control, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When can authority be used instead of command?

The meanings of authority and command largely overlap; however, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

In what contexts can control take the place of command?

Although the words control and command have much in common, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When is it sensible to use dominion instead of command?

While in some cases nearly identical to command, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When is jurisdiction a more appropriate choice than command?

While the synonyms jurisdiction and command are close in meaning, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

Where would power be a reasonable alternative to command?

The synonyms power and command are sometimes interchangeable, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When might sway be a better fit than command?

In some situations, the words sway and command are roughly equivalent. However, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 command
Noun
Restricting the key waterway, which is crucial to the world's oil supply and has become one of the main points of negotiation in the war, comes amid continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, according to Iran's top military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 21 June 2026 Circe and Calypso, for instance, are fantasies of pleasure and captivity, projections of men’s fear of losing control; Odysseus’ abandonment of them is part of his return to command. David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Verb
The European goal machines — who both command a weekly salary north of $600,000 — have started the tournament with a bang. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026 Some industry experts believe the black Messi sticker alone could command $200,000 at auction. Dave Skretta, Fortune, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for command
Recent Examples of Synonyms for command
Noun
  • Follow evacuation instructions without delay.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2026
  • Supporters argued Judeo-Christian traditions are fundamental to the nation's founding and should be reflected in classroom instruction.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Kids also take digital standardized exams that adapt questions to test-takers’ proficiency levels in real-time.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • This collaborative approach not only elevates AI output quality but also fosters critical thinking, enhancing user proficiency across various domains.
    Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Residents of the peninsula are often reluctant to speak out publicly given the control Russia enforces on the ground.
    Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • At-home routines give you more control over how aggressively your nails are filed and how gently polish is removed.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • In the video, with over 10 million views, Savoie spends several minutes breaking down the soccer star’s collection.
    Teddy Brown, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The spacecraft will then be ordered to slowly approach and survey Swift before grabbing the observatory with its robotic arms and slowly raising the orbit to nearly 370 miles.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • Larger versions serving 10 to 12 guests can also be ordered for private celebrations.
    Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • The Ohio Supreme Court has denied Mackenzie Shirilla's appeal requesting a new trial after she was convicted of murder in 2022.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026
  • Around the same time, PennLive reporter Jenna Wise requested three autopsy reports related to a 2025 crime spree from Susquehanna County Coroner Jessica Chiaramonte.
    Jonah Walters, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Kenya’s foreign minister flew to Moscow in March to demand that Russia stop recruiting Kenyans, describing the pipeline bringing Kenyan citizens to Russia as a human trafficking ring.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
  • The mother of a man killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike in Manhattan is demanding justice for her son.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • But in a landmark case, the Supreme Court ruled against the president on Monday, saying the administration failed to give Cook the opportunity to address those accusations, as required by law.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • However, the high court also ruled against the president’s attempts to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, offering the central bank more protection.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Command.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/command. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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