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
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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
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
Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
Hopefully, more eyes will see it along with Gill’s commanding performance.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
As one of the world’s largest tech giants, Google’s position in the space is a commanding one, though competition from the likes of Meta, OpenAI and others is fierce.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
But recent polls show Mamdani with a commanding lead in the race over his opponents.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Adjective
The spacious accommodations range from 1,834 square feet for the One-Bedroom Duplex Suites, boasting two levels with the bedroom looking out to an outdoor patio, to the exceptional 22,873-square-foot, three-bedroom Royal Villa commanding views of the rice terraces and the Ayung River.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
Hopefully, more eyes will see it along with Gill’s commanding performance.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
As one of the world’s largest tech giants, Google’s position in the space is a commanding one, though competition from the likes of Meta, OpenAI and others is fierce.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
One day, visitors would be able to ascend the tower and enjoy a commanding view of sprawling Barcelona.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
But recent polls show Mamdani with a commanding lead in the race over his opponents.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commanding
Adjective
-
The inquiry also scrutinized prominent Trump allies, including Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, and Stephen Miller, along with dozens of consultants and political action committees tied to the former president’s orbit.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Almost a week after one of America’s most prominent conservative activists was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University, a 22-year-old man accused of executing the attack with his grandfather’s rifle appeared in court Tuesday to face state charges.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Robinson faces seven felonies, including discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering for allegedly instructing his roommate not to cooperate with authorities.—
Cheryl McCloud,
Freep.com,
21 Sep. 2025
-
He is also charged with felony discharge of a firearm, committing a violent act in the presence of a child, and two counts of witness tampering for instructing a roommate to delete incriminating texts and avoid cooperating with police.—
Amanda Castro
Mandy Taheri
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trump signed a secret directive this summer ordering the Pentagon to use deadly force against Latin American drug cartels, which his administration have identified as terrorist organizations.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Google suggests tedious or repetitive things like scheduling a haircut or ordering groceries as a good job for the Chrome agent.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now, major Hollywood unions and progressive groups are pushing back, accusing ABC and its affiliates of censorship and demanding a boycott of Disney properties.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Since late last year, China has ramped up its restrictions on exports of rare earths, even demanding proof that they will not be used for military purposes.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
European football governing body UEFA’s allowable loss limit is less than the Premier League’s, so lowering wages has already happened at continental level, and its squad-cost rule is directly targeted at what teams spend on players.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
And Sunuwar, who miraculously survived, became, in the eyes of the public, another casualty of the governing élite’s contempt for ordinary Nepalis.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
She was called up to the main roster after having title reigns with the NXT Women's Championship and the North American Women's Championship.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Would Americans have been better served by having more ready access to the evidence of what political violence looks like?—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The value of such a small cohort of teams also increases when some of the NFL’s most important rules seek to prevent one or two sides from dominating the league for years on end.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The interior of the boutique is characterized by a warm color palette, with beige and brown tones dominating the space.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Powell will discuss his leading role in the upcoming comedy series Chad Powers, based on the viral alter ego created by NFL quarterback Eli Manning.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Bernardo lamented the success teams were having on the break against City after their defeat against Al Hilal in the Club World Cup in July, but City are giving teams a taste of their own medicine, with Haaland leading these rapid attacks.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commanding. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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