command 1 of 2

noun

Definition of commandnext
1
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned the captain's commands were followed without question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
5
as in control
the right or means to command or control others the army officer in command during the attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

kə-ˈmand How to pronounce command (audio)
1
as in to order
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority the general commanded his troops with Caesar-like imperiousness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
3
as in to demand
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority an act of courage that commands the admiration of all who witnessed it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to rule
to exercise authority or power over a cabinet secretary who commands the largest department in the federal government

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to own
to keep, control, or experience as one's own local government does not command the resources that are needed to respond to such a huge disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
EHang The pilotless aircraft flies over preset routes using 5G wireless connectivity to communicate with the command center. —New Atlas, 1 Apr. 2025 The command in a statement said the identities of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division soldiers are being withheld pending family notifications. —Liudas Dapkus and Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Its guns would be handed over to a Palestinian police force to be established in Gaza and commanded by the P.A., which, in turn, could recruit police officers from Hamas and, crucially, pay their salaries. —Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025 Although members are responsible for paying for and fielding their own armed forces, the joint command plans, trains for, and, if necessary, commands NATO operations. —Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for command
Recent Examples of Synonyms for command
  1. instruction
  2. proficiency
  3. control
  4. view
  5. order
  6. request
  7. demand
  8. rule
Noun
  • Through the years, North talked about his experiences as a child actor, saying producers were most interested in obtaining a performance out of him while his schooling was neglected, despite California laws requiring three hours of instruction a day for child actors.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The apprentices also earn a progressive wage beginning at $15 an hour and technical instruction provided by the state Department of Education, among other benefits.
    — Lena Miano, Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • My proficiency in calculus and analytics led me to study economics as an undergraduate student and then to pursue an MBA in finance.
    — Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • His all-round game is now beginning to match his proficiency in front of goal, which has brought four goals in his last three games.
    — Steve Madeley, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of proficiency
Noun
  • Only in the past handful of years have Democrats gained control of the majority after decades of Republican control.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Sponsors have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
    — Austin Mock, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • One edit, of a picture of a man, a dog and his wife, has been viewed over 49 million times on X as of reporting, while another post which edited memes into a Ghibli style has also received nearly 50 million views.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The budget resolution's release comes as the majority leader and Senate Budget Committee Republicans met with President Trump earlier Wednesday at the White House, where Thune said committee members aired their views with the president.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of view
Verb
  • These are just a few examples of federal agencies that have been hit by mass layoffs ordered by President Donald Trump and his new administration.
    — Hayat Norimine, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2025
  • On Friday, a federal judge halted plans to fire more than 1,200 journalists, engineers and other staff who were sidelined after Trump ordered a funding cut.
    — Calvin Woodward, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of order
Verb
  • After requesting and being granted his release from the Professional Fighters League, Pitbull signed with the UFC and has landed a major fight on one of the year’s biggest cards.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The prosecution requested that they be addressed using pseudonyms during trial.
    — Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of request
Verb
  • With the lawsuit, Poole and Cartwright’s father, Michael Cartwright, demand a jury trial.
    — Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Employees and consumers will demand open communication, ethical AI practices and leaders sharing their decisions and reasoning.
    — Izabela Lundberg, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of demand
Verb
  • The coroner’s office ruled the deaths accidental due to blunt force trauma.
    — David Matthews, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • National Trump administration advances immigration crackdown on foreign student protesters On Friday, a federal judge ruled that Ozturk will have her case heard in Vermont.
    — Adrian Florido, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of rule

Phrases Containing command

Browse Nearby Words

comma
command
commandant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Command.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/command. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on command

Nglish: Translation of command for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All