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
Its military released video of a top commander surveying troops in southern Lebanon.
—
Npr Staff, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
One source previously told CNN the unit’s presence gives commanders more options for a range of contingencies.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Actor James Tolkan, who was Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense commander in Top Gun and Marty McFly’s even less-nonsense Vice Principal in the Back to the Future films, has died.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Tangsiri has been a commander in the Revolutionary Guards since 2018 and has been a key player in closing the Strait of Hormuz.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commander
Npr Staff, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
One source previously told CNN the unit’s presence gives commanders more options for a range of contingencies.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Actor James Tolkan, who was Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense commander in Top Gun and Marty McFly’s even less-nonsense Vice Principal in the Back to the Future films, has died.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Tangsiri has been a commander in the Revolutionary Guards since 2018 and has been a key player in closing the Strait of Hormuz.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
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With a German commandant enraged, Edmonds stood his ground and invoked prisoners' rights under international law.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
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The controversial wording was later removed after two Democratic lawmakers put a hold on Lunday’s nomination for commandant until the manual was changed.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the uncertainty surrounding the club (head coach Gareth Taylor wasn’t hired until three weeks before the season started, while the club had lost Smith and club captain Taylor Hinds to Arsenal) was anathema to someone so conscientious.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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This is the latest installment of Crews on Cruise, a column spotlighting the people who work behind the scenes of the world’s most memorable voyages—from bartenders and entertainers to ship captains and expedition leaders.—
Ashlea Halpern,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The newest team skipper had an 11-year pro ball career; specifically, 553 games across seven major league seasons.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
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Ex-Marlins manager Skip Schumaker will take the reins from four-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy, who did not return as the club’s skipper.—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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