Synonyms of commander

commander

noun

kə-ˈman-dər 

1

as in commandant

one in official command especially of a military force or base

a surrender of the fort by the commander without a single shot having been fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commandant
• captain
• commanding officer
• commander in chief
• commissioned officer
• field officer

2

as in captain

a person in overall command of a ship

the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• captain
• skipper
• pilot
• admiral
• officer
• skip
• master
• sea captain
• commanding officer
• commodore
• vice admiral
• mate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crew
• crewman
• crewmate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of commander

The Madlanga Commission, a judicial inquiry set up after a senior police commander alleged last year that criminality and political interference had penetrated the justice system, has now sat for more than 180 days. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

The commander, Jessica Watkins, became the first Black woman to lead a mission into space. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

The planning is meant to create flexibility for the president and commanders overseeing the war, these people said, by moving up to three aircraft carriers and their escort ships into the region in November. — Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026

SpaceX launched commander Jessica Watkins and her crew for NASA after a three-week delay to fix their Dragon capsule’s leaking fuel system. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing commander

• commander in chief