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

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2
as in captain
a person in overall command of a ship the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise

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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 commander Although Romania, like Poland, has a parliamentary system, the presidents of both countries are commanders of the armed forces and have significant sway over military spending and foreign policy. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 McRaven retired in 2014 as a four-star admiral and the ninth commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Chris Harris, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 A number of senior Russian commanders have been killed in Ukraine. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 Detecting their acoustic signatures, the Sentry nodes can process the information, identify the threat, and recommend a course of action to the human commander, who can authorize a swarm of AUVs to engage the hostile with a barrage of small but deadly torpedoes. New Atlas, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
  • If signed into law, the bill would give the Coast Guard commandant greater authority over when the reservists can be called into duty.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Her departure follows earlier dismissals of Admiral Linda Fagan, who had been serving as Coast Guard commandant, and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, previously nominated to lead the Navy.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Does the 118 get a new captain? Following Bobby's death, the 118 saw their dickish ex-captain, Gerrard, temporarily step back into the role.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 May 2025
  • Vista’s sheriff’s captain will give an overview of technologies such as crime cameras, license plate readers and gunshot detection systems.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • By this time, the wind had reached 30 knots, or about 34 miles per hour, and the ship was beginning to lean to one side — and the deckhand ran to wake the skipper, which happened around 4 a.m.
    Greta Bjornson, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • Bayesian’s skipper, James Cutfield, told the overnight watchkeepers to wake him if the wind speed increased above 23 mph or if the boat started dragging anchor, the report said.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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