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
as in directing
Related Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 commanding
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025
Previous polling had suggested Van Epps had a more commanding lead.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 17 Dec. 2025
Aledo did miss several chances to put the game away after taking a commanding a 42-21 lead in the second half.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025
Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Edwards led seven Minnesota players scoring in double figures, pushing the Timberwolves to a commanding win after a pair of disappointing losses to New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
The Colorado Avalanche solidified their lead atop the Central Division on Sunday, emphatically, building a commanding lead and giving Minnesota Wild fans precious little to cheer about.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025
Previous polling had suggested Van Epps had a more commanding lead.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Noun
Neither team took a commanding lead until the fourth quarter when the Bobcats came up clutch to earn their first conference victory.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 17 Dec. 2025
Aledo did miss several chances to put the game away after taking a commanding a 42-21 lead in the second half.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
The heart pattern is simple, and the split band adds a little extra personality without commanding the whole look.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Edwards led seven Minnesota players scoring in double figures, pushing the Timberwolves to a commanding win after a pair of disappointing losses to New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
The absence that has lingered over the Boston Red Sox world for the last five weeks was especially prominent Sunday as the team held its first full-squad workout of 2026.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Some cultural events featuring prominent Israelis since the start of the war in Gaza have been subject to anti-Israel demonstrations.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The creative has also dipped her foot into directing, working most closely with her fiancé, musician Finneas O’Connell.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
-
That record-breaking win made Swift the first artist to nab a trophy in the category with a sole directing credit for their own video.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, Elordi’s Heathcliff collars and chains Oliver’s Isabella herself, instructing her to bark like a dog.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Parent Teacher Association officials in one of the wealthiest school districts in the country hosted a training session last month instructing families on how to respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to Grotewold, every table and bar seat was filled with people ordering multiple rounds of the normally $25 dish.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Invoking the Constitution and Scripture, the Texas district court judge wrote a scathing opinion ordering the release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father after the two were detained outside their home in Minneapolis in January.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the bloom of illicit pot grows on private land has been demanding California’s attention, a growing problem since voters legalized cannabis in 2016.—
Rachel Becker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Soon after, the woman’s grandson, who owned a construction company, started to receive messages demanding millions for her release.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then the governing federations for each individual Olympic sport would need to vote to end their bans.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Fidesz has not released a program, arguing that after governing for 16 years, its voters know what kinds of policies to expect.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Boxer Imane Khelif admitted to having the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome, which is found in biological males, and undergoing hormone treatments to lower testosterone levels ahead of the 2024 Olympics in an interview with the French sports publication L'Equipe.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Angela Craig, the mother of his six children, was hospitalized on March 15, 2023, and died three days later after having a severe seizure.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And sure, gathering enough of those players on one roster would mean dominating the MAC.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
How the Hockey Fight Started Canada was already dominating when France’s Crinon delivered a hit on Nathan MacKinnon.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
