1
as in presiding
highest in rank or authority
with the death of the general, he instantly became the commanding officer on the field of battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prominent
likely to attract attention
even in a room filled with world leaders, he was a commanding presence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in instructing
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the general commanded his troops with Caesar-like imperiousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ordering
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority
the governor has commanded that all state flags be flown at half-mast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demanding
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
an act of courage that commands the admiration of all who witnessed it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in governing
to exercise authority or power over
a cabinet secretary who commands the largest department in the federal government
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5
as in having
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
local government does not command the resources that are needed to respond to such a huge disaster
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in dominating
to look down on
for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in leading
to serve as leader of
the head of the agency commands an army of workers trained to respond to the immediate needs of disaster victims
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in asking
to set or receive as a price
commands a high fee for his decorating services
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in directing
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commanding
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
The spacious accommodations range from 1,834 square feet for the One-Bedroom Duplex Suites, boasting two levels with the bedroom looking out to an outdoor patio, to the exceptional 22,873-square-foot, three-bedroom Royal Villa commanding views of the rice terraces and the Ayung River.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Ami Cusack immediately jumped into a commanding lead.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Advertisement The Cowboys went on to win that NFC Championship game and delivered a commanding victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XVII, their first Super Bowl since 1977.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
Polling gives Blackburn a commanding lead, 68% to Rose’s 14% according to the Beacon Center.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
The spacious accommodations range from 1,834 square feet for the One-Bedroom Duplex Suites, boasting two levels with the bedroom looking out to an outdoor patio, to the exceptional 22,873-square-foot, three-bedroom Royal Villa commanding views of the rice terraces and the Ayung River.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
By inning’s end, the San Diego Padres had knocked starter Kai-Wei Teng out of the game and had a commanding seven-run lead.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Ami Cusack immediately jumped into a commanding lead.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Making good pitches, commanding his stuff and throwing strikes.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Advertisement The Cowboys went on to win that NFC Championship game and delivered a commanding victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XVII, their first Super Bowl since 1977.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
Labubu is a doll that resembles a monster, featuring a large head, sharp teeth and prominent eyes.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
High-power microwave system One of the most prominent formations at the parade highlighted China’s growing emphasis on counter-drone warfare, a domain increasingly central to modern combat.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The damage to Caden’s body was minimized by his older brother quickly pulling off his shirt and instructing him to stop, drop and roll to put out the fire.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Austria established a code of conduct in 2019 with guidelines for hikers instructing them to maintain a safe distance from cows and walk dogs on a short lead.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The kiosks are 24-hour self-service terminals, according to the BMV website, and can complete multiple transactions, including vehicle registration renewal, driver’s license renewal and ordering duplicate titles.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
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But instead, the White House is actively ordering NASA to destroy major satellite missions that impact the security and safety of the United States while reducing headcount at NASA by 20% thus far, with the senior staff being among the most severely impacted.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The decision also underscores the risks of vocal injury for artists performing demanding live shows night after night, a reality discussed in coverage of other recent touring cancellations.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The timing aligns with a broader industry shift—brands are increasingly demanding flexibility in their media investments, moving away from rigid upfront commitments.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans departed Washington promising to make changes to the Senate rules governing how nominees are confirmed despite objections from Democrats.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Getty Images European football governing body UEFA has granted FC Barcelona special permission to switch its home venue half way through the Champions League’s 2025/2026 league phase according to RAC1, which cited anonymous sources.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Avelar decided to get her mommy makeover — which typically involves a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and body contouring — nearly two decades after having her first child.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
This is not about no longer having a Hall of Famer at quarterback.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Would parity be more fun than the usual suspects dominating the high school football landscape every year?—
Cecil Joyce,
The Tennessean,
3 Sep. 2025
-
But there’s arguably too much of it, dominating the film’s slightly excessive run time.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The signs, in Lukas' iconic green and white, hang on the wood posts leading into the gap where horses enter and exit the track for training.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
-
His condition went unaddressed during nearly four months in Eloy Detention Center, and three leading infectious disease public health researchers said opportunities to save his life were missed.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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