commands 1 of 2

Definition of commandsnext
plural of command
1
2
as in proficiencies
a highly developed skill in or knowledge of something a command of French that is the result of a year spent in France as an exchange student

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in headquarters
the place from which a commander runs operations the general set up his command in the old port city

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in seats
a place from which authority is exercised central command

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6
as in views
all that can be seen from a certain point from his mountain perch, the scout had a command of the entire valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

commands

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of command
1
2
as in requests
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
4
5
6
as in dominates
to look down on for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
as in leads
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

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 commands
Noun
Dash camera video from Newton’s police cruiser doesn’t capture the shooting, but Newton can be heard yelling commands for Sanders to stop and show his hands. Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026 In the November video, the Democrats — all of whom served in the military or intelligence services — told military members to follow existing protocol and not obey commands that would violate the law. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026 Service members are only required to follow orders that are lawful and have a duty to disobey commands that are patently unlawful, according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 11 Feb. 2026 The agents asked for Ruvalcaba’s ID and shouted commands, but given his disability, Ruvalcaba couldn’t hear them. Valeria Ricciulli, Refinery29, 11 Feb. 2026 Operators issue commands that prompt the pigeon to turn left or right, while the GPS tracks the pigeon’s position in real time, similar to how a standard aerial drone is guided. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026 The transition in leadership of the two commands is expected to take place gradually over the next few years. Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 The driver, identified as Jesus Santiago of Manchester, complied with officers’ commands to put his hands in the air and he was placed under arrest. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026 The footage shows the driver, identified by police as Rose, exiting the vehicle and lying on the ground while officers yell commands with guns drawn. Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
For anyone attuned to the Chinese pop music scene, TIA RAY is undoubtedly a name that commands attention. Billboard China, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026 The free agent signing has been a huge factor in the trenches and commands a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines. Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026 Bourgeois commands a social media audience approaching six million followers, primarily through trainspotting content. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026 When John commands Cal to cut his long hair, Cal rebels by dyeing it platinum and trimming it into a chin-length bob. Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026 At three stories and 27,000 square feet, the project commands attention, taking place on a lot previously occupied by three buildings. Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Jan. 2026 Hall is a 247Sports three-star prospect and commands a four-star composite ranking. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026 Finally, the brain commands the body to physically act. Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026 Storytellers—roles that have been devalued for years now commands software engineer salaries. Joe Toscano, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commands
Noun
  • Ice Box is an all-in-one, emergency and estate planner that organizes over 35 categories of essential documents, accounts, keys and instructions for both you and your next of kin.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Instead, there are instructions for each drug, referring consumers to manufacturers websites or coupons that can be used at local pharmacies.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Lucrative, fully remote data science jobs with robust salaries usually require technical proficiencies that are gauged in an interview.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Industry experience and demonstrated proficiencies are among the top factors considered by employers surveyed in NACE’s Job Outlook 2026.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Mountain travel was highly discouraged, according to the weather service, with snow reducing visibility, causing major delays and prompting chain controls likely on Interstate 80 and other mountain passes.
    Michael McGough February 14, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Tax changes should be considered only after cost controls and efficiency improvements are evaluated, with full public disclosure and input before final decisions are made.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Drink in the views of this lovable landmark from outside Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen, and Portside restaurant below, or dine inside one of the shells at upscale Bennelong.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The city’s top attractions include riding the Cerro de Monserrate funicular to sweeping views and a 17th-century monastery, visiting the colonial La Candelaria neighborhood, and spending time in the Gold Museum, home to invaluable gold artifacts and insights on indigenous Muisca culture.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Judge orders his deportation An immigration judge ordered his removal in November, refusing to hear his asylum bid because he was found to be a human rights violator, according to an ICE spokesman and his lawyer.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Prosecutors say once inside the bar, Burkes points the gun at Drysdale, orders her around the bar, and takes items from the cash register and office.
    Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Technically, a local station only has to provide comparable time if a rival candidate requests it.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • However, Assistant City Manager Duffy said that the state requests that the city instead revisit the tax and issues a separate vote, but said that staff could make a note to come back to the discussion once the tournament ends on July 19.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That variability demands constant vigilance — not just a check at the start of the season.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Since Congress passed the law that demands the release of the full Epstein files in November, congressional members and committees have sent letters to the DOJ demanding to see the unredacted version of the Epstein files.
    Philip Wang, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The will of the people is what rules our land, bound by the limits of the Constitution.
    Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
  • He is kept well away from current Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s family cats, JoJo and Prince, who inhabit the private family quarters while Larry rules the working areas of Downing Street.
    Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commands. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on commands

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!