commanders

Definition of commandersnext
plural of commander
1
as in commandants
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 commanders But the logic that now organizes all of these institutions is increasingly shaped by security commanders and battlefield veterans whose formative experiences are defined not by negotiation but by confrontation. Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 9 May 2026 That quick solution involved Putin extending the reach of his own Federal Protection Service (FSO) – which at that time only protected Gerasimov in the military command - to provide security to 10 more senior commanders. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 4 May 2026 Its modular design and lower unit cost aim to provide commanders with greater flexibility and presence where traditional vessels face high risk. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026 The exhibit features tools used in sailmaking, such as palms, fids, commanders, awls, and marlin spikes. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026 Israeli military commanders and political leaders say the country will keep forces in a buffer zone across southern Lebanon indefinitely, and that residents cannot return to their homes, until the safety of northern Israeli residents can be guaranteed. April 30, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Danish archaeologists recently uncovered a ship that was battered by the forces of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson — one of the most renowned naval commanders of his time. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Pope opened a second investigation into the incident and multiple Police Department commanders confirmed that Sumstad had attempted to fix the ticket, according to the filing. Ben Wheeler april 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026 For most of American history, military commanders took for granted that infectious disease could cost them a war, which is why vaccination was considered a matter of military readiness rather than personal choice. Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanders
Noun
  • In addition, the states will collect catch information from anglers and for-hire captains to monitor catches and gain insight into changes in angler behavior under pilot program requirements.
    Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
  • The expedition set sail on May 19, 1845, and was last seen in July 1845 in Baffin Bay by the captains of two whaling ships.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • In terms of skippers, our Frank Selee might rightly be considered more philosopher than a pugilist.
    Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 6 May 2026
  • While Cora, who was also part of the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal, is now on the unemployment line, he is considered one of the better skippers in baseball.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • With drones increasingly used to kill on the battlefield, their pilots have become key targets for both sides — a reality that’s absent from the recruitment material.
    Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 12 May 2026
  • After the victim was struck, pilots aborted the plane's takeoff and smoke began filling the cabin.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanders. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on commanders

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster