commands 1 of 2

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
When a processor requests data, the chip instantly converts CXL memory requests into DDR5 commands, retrieves the required information, and sends it back in real time. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026 Authorities said the passenger, Jianquan Bo, exited the vehicle and surrendered, while the driver, Zhengfeng, refused deputies’ commands. Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 The sheriff's office said the suspect refused commands to stop and fled on foot after reaching the end of a cul-de-sac on Barracuda Way. Richard Ramos, CBS News, 31 July 2026 LLMs cannot reliably tell the difference between information they are meant to read and instructions they are meant to follow, which means an AI can follow hidden commands without notifying the user. Arthur Azizov, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The first officer on scene gave multiple commands for Ponce to drop the knives, but the suspect could be seen advancing toward the officer, Garcia said. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 That video shows three boys scrubbing the floor and walls of a room in the school with rags as Morrison shouts commands and admonishments. Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 24 July 2026 Stripe reported that 70% of its commands used to access data through an API are coming from agents. Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 23 July 2026 Some commands appear unfinished, but the working features give criminals extensive access to an infected phone. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Verb
Athletic director Josh Whitman said the board, the biggest main video display in college football, commands attention. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 An Example of Where Specialization Already Pays Off The same trend shows up in fields where specialization already commands a premium. Terdawn Deboe, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 This powertrain is only available with AWD, the SX trim level, and the X-Line package, which gives the car some glossy black exterior accents and bigger wheels, and commands a more substantial though still competitive $32,790 MSRP. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026 And the view of the northern Rockies commands equal attention with the headliners. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026 Outside, the celebratory scene replays, almost bittersweet, as the voice of director Wash Westmoreland commands the cameras and his ensemble, now thoroughly in young adulthood, from an invisible space across the room. Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026 The sanctions bill has gone through several iterations but still commands a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 July 2026 Caminero commands attention, with the rare stardom that’s supported by eye-test swagger and advanced metrics. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 July 2026 Joe Rogan commands the kind of audience that journalists could only dream of. Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commands
Noun
  • The instructions did not forbid what happened, and the environments did not prevent it.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Always refer to your machine’s specific manufacturer’s cleaning instructions as well.
    Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • My history suggests very successful proficiencies in this model.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
  • Lastly, players can also pick up more powerful weapons that grow stronger as their proficiencies increase.
    Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Beijing has appointed its own senior monks, maintained close surveillance and controls on religious expression, and faced allegations of cracking down on peaceful dissent and forcing the large-scale relocation of rural and nomadic Tibetans.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Any information placed on this secondary display had to be available on the regular screen, and any controls available had to be available elsewhere.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The 15-minute video, which garnered more than half a million views, resonated with others who had also lost money, anonymously detailing their own debts in thousands of comments.
    Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Other sections feature views of the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The King imprisons the miller’s daughter in a room and orders her to prove her magical ability under pain of death.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Diagnosis usually starts with a primary care referral to a sleep doctor, who reviews your sleep history and orders a sleep study either in a lab or at home.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When a processor requests data, the chip instantly converts CXL memory requests into DDR5 commands, retrieves the required information, and sends it back in real time.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In audio released from a distress call made by Wells’ friends, the caller requests towing assistance after a boat malfunction.
    Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, du Plessis views this as a critical, yet temporary, opportunity to transform cricket into a mainstream American sport, stressing that success demands proactive vision.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • With its spectacular imagery of bioluminescent creatures, not to mention a giant squid measuring somewhere between 2-4 storeys tall, this is a film that demands to be seen on the big screen.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The proceedings will then go forward in a trial format, with an opportunity to appeal if the commission rules against him.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • As such neither, as per Article 16 of the FIGC’s Sports Agents rules on incompatibility and conflict of interest, would have had to leave their roles in the event Pirlo senior secured the Italy job.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commands. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on commands

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster