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Definition of commandnext
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as in proficiency
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 seat
a place from which authority is exercised central command

Synonyms & Similar Words

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6
as in view
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

command

2 of 2

verb

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2
as in to request
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

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as in to dominate
to look down on for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
as in to lead
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 to ask
to set or receive as a price commands a high fee for his decorating services

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun command contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of command are authority, control, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When can authority be used instead of command?

The meanings of authority and command largely overlap; however, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

In what contexts can control take the place of command?

Although the words control and command have much in common, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When is it sensible to use dominion instead of command?

While in some cases nearly identical to command, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When is jurisdiction a more appropriate choice than command?

While the synonyms jurisdiction and command are close in meaning, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

Where would power be a reasonable alternative to command?

The synonyms power and command are sometimes interchangeable, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When might sway be a better fit than command?

In some situations, the words sway and command are roughly equivalent. However, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 command
Noun
The undersheriff who gave the command has since been promoted. Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025 What Macfadyen brings to both roles is a glorious command of humiliation. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
There was little doubt that Rodman could command an eight-figure salary on the open market. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026 Delta Force is commanded by a senior Army officer, but the identity of the unit’s leader is also kept classified, as is the exact size of the unit. Michael Dorgan , Rachel Wolf , David Spunt , Lucas Y. Tomlinson, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for command
Recent Examples of Synonyms for command
Noun
  • The young Malinin skated by himself, uninterested in instruction.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Careful use of pesticides, following all label instructions.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This year’s report card, the first issued under Illinois’ new scoring system, showed higher proficiency rates in reading and math.
    Bruce Rauner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The Wi-Fi is reliable, the weather is mild, English proficiency is high, and the coworking scene is more mature.
    Taylor Haught, Sacbee.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • As the Palisades Fire burned out of control under hurricane-force winds, some residents chose to stay and fight, like Cort Wagner.
    Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Later attention turned to flood control after a hurricane in the 1920s caused Lake Okeechobee to overflow, killing thousands.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The videos, posted to X on Sunday afternoon, quickly drew thousands of views and appear to show Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino ordering a crowd to move back as federal agents attempted to remove a man from a vehicle parked at the gas station.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • By the end of the year, the Gallup Economic Confidence Index, which measures views of the economy and its future, stood at a whopping negative 33, down nearly 20 points since spring.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Free for all East Side San Jose residents, folks can sign up for pick up or order home delivery, as the foundation partners with DoorDash.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Trump, by contrast, ordered the capture of a leader already under narcoterrorism indictment and framed it as a drug bust and accountability for crimes, yet his opponents denounce him as aspiring to kingship and dictatorship.
    Paul Vallas, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Jessica Ranucci, a lawyer in the New York Attorney General’s office, said in the Friday hearing, which was conducted by telephone, that at least four of the states had already had money delayed after requesting it.
    Geoff Mulvihill, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2026
  • With a general manager now in place, the Dolphins on Friday night called to express interest in former Ravens coach John Harbaugh and also requested interviews with three NFL assistant coaches, according to league sources.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has repeatedly blasted Powell for the Fed not cutting interest rates as much and as quickly as the president has demanded since entering the White House in January 2025.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
  • During a particularly rowdy acid trip, Frisbee wandered into the California desert, stripped naked, and demanded that God reveal himself.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The officials were fooled, ruling it incomplete.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Two federal judges ruled on October 31 that the administration needed to at least partially fund the benefits using an agency contingency fund of about $5 billion.
    Leah Douglas, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Command.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/command. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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