as in commander
one in official command especially of a military force or base
reported directly to the fort's commanding officer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 officer
Earl Potter, the vessel's commanding officer.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The Navy deemed the collision avoidable and relieved the commanding officer.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Smith made history as the first Black Commanding Officer of a Canadian warship in 2014 and the first Black commanding officer of the unit in 2021.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Parker stars as one of Cameron’s commanding officers, drill sergeant Sullivan.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding officer
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The Navy deemed the collision avoidable and relieved the commanding officer.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Smith made history as the first Black Commanding Officer of a Canadian warship in 2014 and the first Black commanding officer of the unit in 2021.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Parker stars as one of Cameron’s commanding officers, drill sergeant Sullivan.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding officer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding officer
Noun
-
Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is the mission commander with aviator John Shoffner as pilot and two mission specialist seats paid for by the Saudi Space Commission, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Its deputy director, Maurice Raines, was the Georgia State Patrol post commander in the region where Philip died.—
Doug Turnbull for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
AJC.com,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Camp Lejeune’s commandant—a man who commanded both respect and wonder—hosted a reception to introduce us to base and community leadership.—
Jay Sloves,
Hartford Courant,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Washington — The Senate confirmed Admiral Kevin Lunday as Coast Guard commandant Thursday night after agency guidance on the display of hate symbols such as swastikas and nooses was clarified.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commanding officer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding%20officer. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
