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

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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

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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

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

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5
as in control
the right or means to command or control others the army officer in command during the attack

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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6
as in to dominate
to look down on for centuries an imposing castle has commanded that stretch of the river

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price commands a high fee for his decorating services

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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
If size is the natural predictor of position and where someone plays, the 5-foot-10 Tate discovered incredibly early on that command had an outsized impact on the rhythm and flow of the game. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 It was shared with the AP on condition that the news organization not identify the country whose peacekeepers compiled the findings for internal use by their senior command. —Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Or, the one who couldn’t command and struggled? —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026 As one of the best forward-center prospects in the Fort Worth area, Crawford commanded attention and recently signed with Incarnate Word. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026 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
  • Beerman will also offer replacement parts and instructions directly for repair if the user doesn’t want to send back the camera for repair and is able to do it themself.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The retrial instructions to the jury indicate that Alkayyali also testified at the retrial.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • Under the standards, commercial motor vehicle drivers who fail English proficiency tests will be placed out of service.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
  • But some experts said the holster and its placement – at the individual’s groin area – suggest this person lacks proficiency with firearms.
    — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of proficiency
Noun
  • Engineers tracked stability and control across each phase.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • As Farthing was assisting in traffic control, a man approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back, sheriff's office spokesperson Kim Peters said in a news release.
    — Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of control
Noun
  • In this all-new Hubble view, details of its structure are revealed as never before.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Envision, also due for a 2031 launch, will carry an orbital ground-penetrating radar to provide a complete view of Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of view
Verb
  • The resort hosts an ample breakfast buffet each morning at EsQuilina, the main restaurant, which often turns out to be a better deal than ordering à la carte.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Satisfied with medical procedures already in place, NASA ordered no extra checkups for the crew ahead of liftoff and no new diagnostic equipment was packed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of order
Verb
  • Latvia skeleton coach Ivo Steinbergs told Reuters that a protest has been sent by his federation to the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) requesting Heraskevych’s reinstatement.
    — Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Braner requested deeper dives on the punishment that Rady is likely to face if forced to resume gender care, on which other hospitals in California have taken similar actions, and on the specific status of young patients affected by the program’s sudden shutdown.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of request
Verb
  • Multiple news outlets have reported receiving ransom notes, and the Guthrie family has expressed a willingness to pay — although it’s not known whether ransom notes demanding money with deadlines that have already passed were authentic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Berthelot/Getty Images Minimalist sandals with thick straps, a firm structure, and a practical sole are ideal for those who love practical but demanding fashion.
    — Alex Sales, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of demand
Verb
  • But last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision ruled in the government’s favor.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The arbitrator was moved by his story but ruled against him anyway, denying him his last chance for a win of any kind at this year’s Olympics.
    — Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of rule

Phrases Containing command

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comma
command
commandant
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Cite this Entry

“Command.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/command. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on command

Nglish: Translation of command for Spanish Speakers

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