Thesaurus

power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

- the power to mold public opinion

authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

- granted the authority to manage her estate

jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

- the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

- you are responsible for the students under your control

command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

- the army officer in command

sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

- the empire extended its sway over the region

dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

- given dominion over all the animals

command

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of command

1 to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

The general commanded his troops with Caesar-like imperiousness.

Synonyms of command

adjure, bid, boss (around), charge, direct, enjoin, instruct, order, tell

Words Related to command

ask, petition, request

beg, beseech, entreat

advise, counsel, warn

appoint, assign, authorize, commission

oversee, superintend, supervise

conduct, control, lead, manage

coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, require

Near Antonyms of command

comply (with), follow, keep, observe

Antonyms of command

mind, obey

2 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 of command

call, decree, dictate, direct, mandate, ordain, order

Words Related to command

ask, petition, request

demand, require

Phrases Synonymous with command

call for

Near Antonyms of command

cancel, countermand, rescind

3 to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority

an act of courage that commands the admiration of all who witnessed it

Synonyms of command

call (for), claim, clamor (for), demand, enjoin, exact, insist (on), press (for), quest, stipulate (for)

Words Related to command

ask, plead (for), request, want

cry (for), necessitate, need, require, take, warrant

requisition

impose

badger, dun, harass, hound

Near Antonyms of command

give up, relinquish, surrender, yield

4 to exercise authority or power over

a cabinet secretary who commands the largest department in the federal government

Synonyms of command

boss, captain, control, govern, preside (over), rule

Words Related to command

conduct, direct, head, lead

administer, manage, micromanage, oversee, regulate, superintend, supervise

dictate, dominate, domineer, lord (it over), master, oppress, reign (over), tyrannize

conquer, subdue, subjugate

5 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.

Synonyms of command

enjoy, have, hold, own, possess, retain

Words Related to command

keep, reserve, withhold

bear, carry

boast, show off, sport

Phrases Synonymous with command

rejoice in

Near Antonyms of command

abandon, cede, disclaim, disown, hand over, relinquish, renounce, surrender, yield

discard, dump

decline, reject, repudiate, spurn

need, require

Antonyms of command

lack, want

6 to look down on

For centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river.

Synonyms of command

dominate, overlook

Words Related to command

face, front

7 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.

Synonyms of command

boss, captain, head, lead, spearhead

Words Related to command

control, dominate

direct, govern, handle, manage, oversee, regulate, run, superintend, supervise

Near Antonyms of command

bow (to), comply (with), defer (to), follow, obey, serve, submit (to), yield (to)

8 to set or receive as a price

commands a high fee for his decorating services

Synonyms of command

ask, charge, demand

Words Related to command

overcharge, undercharge

bring, fetch, sell (for)

discount, mark down, mark up

assess, bill, invoice

price, value

Synonym Discussion of command

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority.

- a general commanding troops

order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

- ordered his employees about like slaves

bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

- she bade him be seated

enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

- a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.