COMMANDMENTS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

commandments

noun

plural of commandment

as in instructions

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned the boss left behind a list of commandments for running the office while he was away

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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 commandments This is, of course, the conception of fundamentalist theology, which threatens eternal hellfire for anyone who defies its commandments. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026 Wilde’s nine buttercream commandments show home bakers how to create visually striking, deeply personal cakes. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 After the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, interpreters understood Temple service broadly in terms of study, prayer, and upholding the commandments. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 Treat them as starting points, not commandments. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026 Paxton filed a lawsuit against Galveston ISD after the school board voted against placing the commandments in classrooms. — Haajrah Gilani, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026 Consider these our contemporary cupcake commandments, illustrated by three new recipes that are, as Carrie would say, fabulous. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026 And as for her new commandments? — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 After all, Moses famously spent 40 days and 40 nights alone on Mount Sinai before receiving the 10 commandments from God, and Buddha meditated for 49 days under a Bodhi tree before reaching enlightenment. — Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandments

Noun

Because eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application procedures vary by state, be sure to follow the instructions provided by local election officials.

— TIME Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Prosecutor Mark Luckett said the duo were directed by a third person believed to be in Iran who coordinated plans and provided instructions on making a homemade chlorine bomb.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of instructions

Noun

The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership’s edicts.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of edicts

Noun

Lisa walks in with everyone’s orders and walks out with three giant bags of fast-food goodness.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
If all goes to plan, orders are slated to ship worldwide in November; shipping starts at $15 for two devices in the US, Canada, and Australia.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

Some have done so, the prosecutor explained, by slow-walking directives of dubious merit, such as orders to investigate voter fraud by noncitizens—a phenomenon that Trump has falsely claimed is rampant.

— Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
This action follows previous directives this summer aimed at regulating data center expansion.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of directives

Noun

Borders should follow water flows, not compass directions, Powell believed.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
University police issued the shelter-in-place order earlier Sunday night, instructing people to close windows and doors, report anything unusual to police and await further directions.

— Adam Bednar, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of directions

Noun

Their options include deploying lawyers to federal and state court to seek injunctions and using local law enforcement to make arrests under state law.

— Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
The case is likely headed to the Supreme Court, which has previously allowed deportations to continue by lifting temporary injunctions.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of injunctions

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“Commandments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandments. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of commandments

noun

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