1
as in mandates
the granting of power to perform various acts or duties
President Jefferson's commission to Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Territory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in executions
the doing of an action
a single burglar was responsible for the commission of all the break-ins
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in committees
a select group of persons assigned to consider or take action on some matter
reported to a UN commission on the AIDS crisis
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in appointments
the state or fact of being chosen for a position or duty
her commission as head of the investigation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in enables
to give official or legal power to
was commissioned lieutenant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in appoints
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty
commissioned him to head the office of veterans affairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 commissions
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Mead Treadwell, who moved to Alaska forty-seven years ago to work on Wally Hickel’s campaign for governor, has prospered there in the pipeline and telecommunications businesses, held political office (lieutenant governor), and served on many Arctic commissions, forums, and institutes.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
In a prelude to parties across America the following year, the queen had invited the chairmen of state bicentennial commissions from the 13 rebellious Colonies to mark the good will that had grown between the former enemies in the intervening two centuries.
—Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 19 Jan. 2026
Brokers and insurance agents enroll people without their knowledge and keep the commissions.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Meza also said ex parte disclosure requirements are not standard across city commissions.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
In addition, the council expanded background check requirements to all city boards and commissions, mandating that members undergo the same vetting process required of other city volunteers and employees.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Residents expressed concerns at two meetings, a joint Traffic and Planning commissions meeting in November and a Planning Commission meeting in December.
—Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
If anything, having to give the brokerage a bigger cut could make agents more reluctant to lower commissions for clients.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 14 Jan. 2026
Douglas Rediker, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2025
Things only get complicated for Phil when a mother (Shino Shinozaki) commissions him to play the dad that her adorable 11-year-old daughter has never met.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
However, given the prevalence of the drug in America, Joiner says horse racing commissions like New Mexico’s should adopt minimal thresholds to account for unavoidable environmental exposure to the drug.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Mead Treadwell, who moved to Alaska forty-seven years ago to work on Wally Hickel’s campaign for governor, has prospered there in the pipeline and telecommunications businesses, held political office (lieutenant governor), and served on many Arctic commissions, forums, and institutes.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
In a prelude to parties across America the following year, the queen had invited the chairmen of state bicentennial commissions from the 13 rebellious Colonies to mark the good will that had grown between the former enemies in the intervening two centuries.
—Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 19 Jan. 2026
Brokers and insurance agents enroll people without their knowledge and keep the commissions.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Meza also said ex parte disclosure requirements are not standard across city commissions.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
In addition, the council expanded background check requirements to all city boards and commissions, mandating that members undergo the same vetting process required of other city volunteers and employees.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Residents expressed concerns at two meetings, a joint Traffic and Planning commissions meeting in November and a Planning Commission meeting in December.
—Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
If anything, having to give the brokerage a bigger cut could make agents more reluctant to lower commissions for clients.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
In an attempt to provide a roadmap, Brussels periodically commissions grand reports on Europe’s economic future.
—Douglas Rediker, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2025
Things only get complicated for Phil when a mother (Shino Shinozaki) commissions him to play the dad that her adorable 11-year-old daughter has never met.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commissions
Noun
-
But that would be a mistake, especially for those investors who need the portfolio protections silver can offer without having to pay the exorbitant price gold mandates now.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
State leaders often point to climate targets, mandates, and litigation as evidence of leadership.—
Tom J. Pyle,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The radical republic that replaced it bore little resemblance to the partner of 1778, having descended into chaos, executions, and ideological extremism that threatened neighboring states.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Missouri uses lethal injection to carry out executions.—
Katie Moore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Volunteers sought for City commissions The City of Vista is accepting applications from Vista residents for several volunteer commissions, boards and committees.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Banks run on committees, controls, and documentation.—
Ron Shevlin,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The volunteer appointments are made by the Vista City Council and terms vary.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Individual therapy appointments can cost hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket, Kates said.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In addition, as Professors Sam Ehrlich and Ryan Rodenberg recently explained in the Cardozo Law Review, there’s a potential non-delegation problem with legislation that delegates regulatory power to private athletic associations such as the NCAA or College Sports Commission.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Dec. 2025
-
In the United States, the federal government delegates the regulation of the practice of medicine to the states, which aren’t racing nearly fast enough right now to catch up with the galloping med spa industry.—
Deanna Pai,
Allure,
18 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Its configurability enables battery energy storage to be located closer to demand, reducing congestion and accelerating deployment.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
This past year, Utah did just that when its state legislators unanimously passed a bill into law that enables Utahns to install small balcony solar without complex utility approvals.—
Calvin Ball,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels tasks Drake Maye with reading coverage before and after the snap, and those reads then dictate where Maye will direct the ball.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Aside from viewing more apps at once and having a larger surface for reading and watching videos — tasks the Galaxy Z Fold 7 can already do — the TriFold doesn’t offer much that’s unique compared to a standard smartphone.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While the State Superintendent role is elected, the governor appoints members to the State Board of Education, subject to state senate approval.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The governor appoints the state board, which approves the wording of state education policies.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commissions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commissions. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
