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
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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
John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
He's gone from about halfway down the list in the betting odds to having a pretty commanding lead over Johnson in Atlanta.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Adam Mansuroglu, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2026
Lay users chatting with chatbots are having an entirely different experience compared to people at the frontier commanding fleets.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Kaplan has commanding, comical moments throughout the play but shines in one of the play’s most memorable.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
Republicans have a less commanding lead, 52-44, among Catholics.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
He's gone from about halfway down the list in the betting odds to having a pretty commanding lead over Johnson in Atlanta.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
Go back long enough and pink was considered entirely appropriate for creating a commanding, masculine look.
—Adam Mansuroglu, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2026
Lay users chatting with chatbots are having an entirely different experience compared to people at the frontier commanding fleets.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The young midfielder has started both of Bay’s games so far this season as the team seeks to redefine itself under new coach Emma Coates, with Hutton commanding the middle of the pitch.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Kaplan has commanding, comical moments throughout the play but shines in one of the play’s most memorable.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
No two children with autism are alike; in some, research indicates differences in immune activity, while in others, metabolic or neurological patterns are more prominent.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
His aides and allies contend there is a double standard applied to the city’s first Muslim mayor and one of the most prominent Muslims in politics, arguing much of the criticism against them is manufactured and driven by Islamophobia.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The series has also picked up a number of craft awards, including for directing, photography and lighting, casting, sound and lighting.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Alongside directing, Laxe also co-wrote the screenplay with Santiago Fillol.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to MySA, signs appeared at certain Buc-ee’s fuel pumps instructing customers using a credit or debit card to pay at the pump.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That sense of normalcy largely held until Wednesday evening, when emergency alerts began chiming on phones across Riyadh, warning residents of an aerial threat and instructing them to remain indoors and away from windows.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola was served with a warrant ordering him to appear in court next month in relation to an investigation into a reportedly corrupt contract to provide health and well-being services to police officers, police spokesperson Brig.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Israel has announced multiple expansions of its operations in Lebanon since the Iran war began, including airstrikes across the country and ground forces seizing ground in the south and ordering tens of thousands of civilians to flee.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Neither Republican senators, who made the latest offer, nor Democrats, who are demanding more changes in immigration enforcement, appeared closer to a compromise.—
LISA MASCARO,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But demanding a premium to hold gilts is not new.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He is credited with helping to establish safety guidelines and governing bodies to make cheerleading less dangerous.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Several of the conservative justices, including Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, appeared skeptical of the state laws governing late-arriving ballots.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Videos on the Instagram page for the restaurant show a packed establishment late at night with young people having fun and drinking, with a long line outside.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Azimi said having Pahlavi as the head of Iran would bring democracy back to the country and end the humanitarian crisis there.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Artificial intelligence is dominating Wall Street, foreign policy and commercial real estate across the country.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Boosters believe this is a necessary move to reindustrialize America at a time when China is dominating manufacturing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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