command 1 of 2

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
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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4
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

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command

2 of 2

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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8
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price commands a high fee for his decorating services

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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
Kershaw said he was heartened, at least, that his issue was a lack of command. Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 May 2025 For example, arranging to have the user's oven fixed with a service provider, without any intervention beyond the initial command. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 18 May 2025
Verb
Some still command the kitchen, cooking for trail crews on sites, while others can help with administrative tasks and educational outreach from the association’s Sacramento office. Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 12 May 2025 Officers pursued the suspect, repeatedly commanding him to drop his weapon, the release states. River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for command
Recent Examples of Synonyms for command
Noun
  • Murphy brought the jury back into the courtroom and read them the Allen charge, a set of instructions given to a jury that believe it’s deadlocked.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
  • Follow a healthcare provider's recommendations or label instructions when taking matcha.
    Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • These credentials fall into two main categories, each offering different insights into an expert's capabilities: Vendor-specific certifications demonstrate proficiency with particular forensic tools or technologies.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • However, Rafael Jimenez-Flores, PhD, the J.T. Parker endowed chair for dairy foods in the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University, stresses the importance of reinstating the proficiency testing program as soon as possible.
    Parents, Parents, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • By pinpointing high-privilege users and monitoring data-sharing behaviors, Reco assists CISOs in implementing stricter access controls.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • This underscores that communication in abusive relationships can escalate the situation, particularly when the core issue is power and control, not miscommunication.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Sasha Gusev, a statistical geneticist and associate professor at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, takes a different view.
    Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
  • In addition to planning for the right time, catching a view of the galaxy — and its shimmering band of stars stretched across the night sky – may require a bit of strategy.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Studios and streamers also aren't ordering as many shows these days.
    Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 17 May 2025
  • Bronx Criminal Court Judge Audrey Stone on Wednesday ordered that Jeremy Cortorreal spend the next two decades behind bars for killing Lisette Gomez back on March 21, 2023.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • In December, the church’s landlord, Ethan Conrad Properties, requested that Garcia put a stop to the events.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2025
  • Weeks after the mistrial, Melly requested that Murphy, who has since retired, set a bond.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • If a country is perceived as a bigger credit risk, its creditors will demand higher interest rates in exchange for lending to that country, potentially leading to higher interest rates for consumers and an uptick in inflation.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 20 May 2025
  • In the strips that make up the inaugural Archipelago Mafalda, Quino’s heroine demands, over and over, that adults do a better job both explaining and occupying the world.
    Lily Meyer, The Dial, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Quick look at Wednesday's news: The Menendez brothers are eligible for parole, a judge ruled.
    Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Sun Sentinel Appeals court sides with Hamburger Mary’s in suit challenging drag show law Judges ruled against the DeSantis administration, saying a 2023 law was too broad and likely unconstitutional.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Command.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/command. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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