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
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2
as in captain
a person in overall command of a ship
the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commander
Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is the mission commander with aviator John Shoffner as pilot and two mission specialist seats paid for by the Saudi Space Commission, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Jail operations commander Jesse Johns said the blankets issued inside the jails are intended to reduce suicide risk but are not impossible to tear apart.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
Han Dong-hee plays Ganglim Outpost Commander Cho Ye-rin, Seong-jae’s commander, who struggles to gain respect from her peers, despite being good at her job.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The airy confines of the stately home where Allied commanders are gathered provide both the grandeur and the contrast to the minutiae inked out on vast maps in the small hours of the night.
—Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commander
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Jail operations commander Jesse Johns said the blankets issued inside the jails are intended to reduce suicide risk but are not impossible to tear apart.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
Han Dong-hee plays Ganglim Outpost Commander Cho Ye-rin, Seong-jae’s commander, who struggles to gain respect from her peers, despite being good at her job.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The airy confines of the stately home where Allied commanders are gathered provide both the grandeur and the contrast to the minutiae inked out on vast maps in the small hours of the night.
—Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
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The State Police will also hire a civilian director to work alongside the academy’s commandant, and institute baseline physical and psychological screenings for recruits before the academy begins.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
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Admiral Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard, said the discovery reconnects the service to a defining moment in its history.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jarrod Bowen, who was omitted from England’s 26-man World Cup squad, was appointed captain by former manager Julen Lopetegui in August 2024.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Senior captain Lily Gangi netted a hat trick for the Indians, senior Laila Costa had two goals, and Tenley and Emery Simmons each had a goal.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Roy Keane has been taking pot shots at current skipper Bruno Fernandes.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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And his skipper couldn’t be prouder.—
Joaquin Ruiz,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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