1
as in instructed
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the general commanded his troops with Caesar-like imperiousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in requested
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 demanded
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
an act of courage that commands the admiration of all who witnessed it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ruled
to exercise authority or power over
a cabinet secretary who commands the largest department in the federal government
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in owned
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in dominated
to look down on
for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in led
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in asked
to set or receive as a price
commands a high fee for his decorating services
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in ordered
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 commanded
Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
Collectively, the creators in attendance commanded over 290 million subscribers, showcasing the immense reach and influence of the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) creator community.
—Cherie Brooke Luo, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
During his tenure, Rossi commanded a vast legion of fans, his retirement causing a noticeable ripple effect across the sport as viewership dipped, and audiences felt the void left by his absence.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
The conversation commanded so much attention that The Athletic reported the NHL was keeping an eye on the situation.
—Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
The public and media gravitated toward the Buffaloes, intoxicated by the live-wire viewing experience of a team that threw nearly 40 times per game, featured perhaps the greatest two-way player ever, and was led by a swaggering, bombastic figurehead who commanded attention.
—J.j. Bailey, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
Royal treasures The monarchs who commanded ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire, medieval England and other realms wield much fascination for historians and the public alike.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
One of these battalions was commanded by Colonel Normand Bruce who, just before embarking on his way to Philadelphia, named his nephew, John Ross Key, as captain of one of the companies under his command on December 28.
—John Laycock, Baltimore Sun, 27 Dec. 2024
Biden has commanded such attention — albeit not for the most positive reasons.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Near Moc Hoa, in South Vietnam on June 5, 1966, Captain Hugh Nelson, a graduate of The Citadel in South Carolina, commanded a helicopter on a search-and-destroy mission when enemy fire rendered his aircraft uncontrollable.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
Collectively, the creators in attendance commanded over 290 million subscribers, showcasing the immense reach and influence of the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) creator community.
—Cherie Brooke Luo, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
During his tenure, Rossi commanded a vast legion of fans, his retirement causing a noticeable ripple effect across the sport as viewership dipped, and audiences felt the void left by his absence.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
The conversation commanded so much attention that The Athletic reported the NHL was keeping an eye on the situation.
—Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
The public and media gravitated toward the Buffaloes, intoxicated by the live-wire viewing experience of a team that threw nearly 40 times per game, featured perhaps the greatest two-way player ever, and was led by a swaggering, bombastic figurehead who commanded attention.
—J.j. Bailey, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
Royal treasures The monarchs who commanded ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire, medieval England and other realms wield much fascination for historians and the public alike.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
One of these battalions was commanded by Colonel Normand Bruce who, just before embarking on his way to Philadelphia, named his nephew, John Ross Key, as captain of one of the companies under his command on December 28.
—John Laycock, Baltimore Sun, 27 Dec. 2024
Biden has commanded such attention — albeit not for the most positive reasons.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 25 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanded
Verb
-
Last week, in an email to facilities that offer black lung screenings for miners, a NIOSH official instructed participating facilities to halt submissions for black lung evaluation due to staffing cuts at the agency.—
Dr. Mark Abdelmalek,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Liberty Gas, which provides gas services throughout Lexington, shut off gas lines citywide Wednesday night and instructed all residents to check pilot lights in their homes, city officials said.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
At special hearings organized by Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas and her former colleague Cindy Chavez, Kraft and dozens of colleagues demanded reforms and a rebalancing of a system that left too many children in dangerous homes.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
-
For years, the pride derived from castoffs other teams had tossed aside, plugging them into a system that demanded his players outwork the opposition.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In 2019, a Federal District Court judge in Alaska ruled that the ban could not be undone without an act of Congress.—
Lisa Friedman,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2025
-
For every song of his that became a global mainstay, one of his raw, evocative mixtapes simultaneously ruled the streets of Kingston.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In many ways, the Twins’ sale mirrors that of the Nationals, who are owned by the Lerner family and have members of the family who were adamantly against the team changing hands.—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Dolan bristled when the NBA tried to interfere with his decision to hire Isiah Thomas to run the New York Liberty in 2015, when MSG still owned the WNBA team.—
Mike Vorkunov,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Ferrari driver nailed his start from pole and dominated the end of the sprint race in what was an impressive drive.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Give me Tennesee to cover without too much trouble against a UCLA team that dominated its first-round foe, Utah State, but went just 23-10 (13-7 Big Ten) this year.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The job reductions are part of a broader initiative led by the Department of Government Efficiency Service, which includes billionaire Elon Musk, aimed at downsizing federal agencies.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The backdrop Erdogan, a populist with increasingly authoritarian tendencies, has led Turkey as prime minister or president for more than 20 years and is now the longest-serving leader in the Turkish republic’s history.—
TIME,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2025
-
On multiple occasions over the last few days, in important ties (also referring to the League Cup final in England between Chelsea and Manchester City last Saturday at Pride Park, home of second-tier men’s team Derby County), our members have been asked to play in substandard conditions.—
Guillermo Rai,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As New Year's Eve revelers across the world clinked glasses and ordered rounds, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy was in the midst of delivering a grave message about alcohol, a drug that fits neatly into both our highest highs and lowest lows.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
-
Still, seizing people who have agreed to appear at ordered court or asylum hearings seems patently unfair.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanded. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share