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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in directing
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in instructing
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the general commanded his troops with Caesar-like imperiousness
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commanding
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Ending with an overtime shootout was not on anyone’s mind after the Ducks (33-33-8, 74 points) jumped out to a commanding lead in a wide-open first period at the Honda Center.
—Josh Gross, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025
The 20-year-old skater, who was born in Fairfax, Va., landed a quadruple Axel and five other quadruple jumps to claim the men's title by a commanding margin.
—Lawrence Yee, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Since launching his campaign in March, Cuomo has taken a commanding lead in the polls and siphoned some of Adams’s old political coalition.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
The Northern Irishman has taken a commanding lead during Sunday's final round.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Ending with an overtime shootout was not on anyone’s mind after the Ducks (33-33-8, 74 points) jumped out to a commanding lead in a wide-open first period at the Honda Center.
—Josh Gross, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025
The 20-year-old skater, who was born in Fairfax, Va., landed a quadruple Axel and five other quadruple jumps to claim the men's title by a commanding margin.
—Lawrence Yee, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Since launching his campaign in March, Cuomo has taken a commanding lead in the polls and siphoned some of Adams’s old political coalition.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
Among them was the explanation that Wuhan – the Chinese city where the virus first began spreading – is home to a prominent virology lab.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Greer served as chief of staff to then-trade representative Robert Lighthizer during the first Trump administration, giving him a front row seat and a prominent role in negotiations with China on tariffs and an eventual trade agreement.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The next year, Martin was accused of instructing staffers to regularly delete their emails to prevent them from becoming available to the media or public under the state’s Sunshine Law.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Whitfield doubles down on his previous orders, instructing the former sheepherder to murder all the Duttons and dump their bodies in the lawless border town.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Everest's unpredictable weather and difficult breathing conditions make this one of the most physically and mentally demanding climbs in the world.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Israel is demanding the release of all the remaining hostages, living and dead, with stages of a ceasefire in between releases, according to the ministry.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Whether your board can discontinue maintenance hinges on the co-op’s governing documents and the approval of any change by the requisite voting interests.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The death, in a hospital, was announced by the International Chess Federation, the game’s governing body.—
Dylan Loeb McClain,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But having more menopause symptoms could also mean worse brain health, new research suggests.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Health,
11 Apr. 2025
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Not for this year’s draft, unfortunately, but having 2026 and 2027 picks from an aging Lightning squad isn’t a bad bet at all.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Outside cash is dominating the special election for a new county supervisor in the South Bay.—
Andrew Keatts,
Axios,
24 Mar. 2025
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Vancouver, meanwhile, fell short against the New York Rangers, despite thoroughly dominating play and out-chancing the struggling Rangers by a brutally lopsided margin.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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She was carried off by multiple people with the Trojans leading 13-2.—
Beth Harris,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Mar. 2025
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They’ve also been accused of taunting Alex for two days in a row, leading him to cover his ears and rock back and forth in anxiety.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The plaintiffs are asking the court to block the administration’s order, which puts Haitians at risk of being returned to a country overrun by deadly gangs.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
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The Purple One was not pleased when his band started asking questions.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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