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
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
as in directing
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commanding
Jenn Nelson, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The Green Bay Packers had yet another commanding win to begin the new season, taking down the Washington Commanders, 27-18, to start 2-0 on the year.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
For cruising around town while keeping tabs on the surrounding potholes, traffic and pedestrians, however, many cyclists prefer the more commanding, upright, back-friendly stance offered by a flat handlebar.
—New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Power shoulders continued their evolution, now appearing in softened yet commanding forms across tailoring, knits and leather.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
However, the Lynx quickly regained control, fueled by league MVP candidate Collier, who shot 63% from the field and finished with 20 points and six rebounds to secure the commanding win.
—Jenn Nelson, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The Green Bay Packers had yet another commanding win to begin the new season, taking down the Washington Commanders, 27-18, to start 2-0 on the year.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Irvine ran the ball, passed the ball and slowed down Laguna Hills’ uptempo offense with a commanding defensive display.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
For cruising around town while keeping tabs on the surrounding potholes, traffic and pedestrians, however, many cyclists prefer the more commanding, upright, back-friendly stance offered by a flat handlebar.
—New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
But Sunday’s election means both Sandu and her party have twice won elections by commanding margins, despite widespread claims of Russian meddling.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Power shoulders continued their evolution, now appearing in softened yet commanding forms across tailoring, knits and leather.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
However, a different vibe soon filled the arena once the countdown clock reached zero and a video charting Kirk's career from 18-year-old organizer to one of the GOP’s most prominent activists came on-screen.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In the wake of the assassination of prominent conservative figure Charlie Kirk, the rhetoric wars have taken to new levels of vitriol, with many on the right blaming the left writ large for such political violence, and vice versa.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the meantime, the group encouraged voluntary compliance by instructing financial managers to pause all trades.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Jean’s mama reproached her for not having been more careful and babied Wole, ordering him to remove his T-shirt and retrieving an aloe lotion, telling him to stretch out on the couch and instructing Jean to spread it over the tender areas.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Eliza Varadi, a pediatrician in South Carolina, told me that the murkiness around insurance coverage, coupled with lower demand, has prompted her practice to start ordering COVID vaccines just one box at a time—each a batch of 10 doses—to minimize the potential for loss.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The judge denied the motion, ordering the hip-hop mogul to remain in jail until sentencing.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the Democratic leadership is demanding an immediate extension to soon-to-expire Obamacare subsidies for their votes, saying Americans face a sharp rise in health care costs without them.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Uthe noted that demanding schedules with heavy travel schedules may have prevented the couple from nurturing their partnership.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The governing Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) easily defeated a challenge by the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The Uniform Code of Military Justice, the federal law governing the military justice system, spells out how such cases are prosecuted.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Martin Odegaard hobbling off the Emirates pitch for the third time in as many starts would have frustrated Mikel Arteta, but having Martin Zubimendi waiting in the wings is a luxury any manager would dream of.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Why does one hard working fan have to buy seven different versions of an album instead of just having all of the songs be on one complete album?—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The transgender athlete, Marissa Rothenberger of Champlin Park High School, led the school to a state championship this past year while dominating female opponents.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The company is developing the injection to be taken once a month, which could offer a convenient edge over the weekly injections currently dominating the market.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Bertha Coombs,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The latest Co/Efficient poll, conducted September 22—23, showed Spanberger leading by six points, 49—43 percent.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His comments come as the right-wing party Reform UK appears to be leading in the polls.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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