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

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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

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

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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

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
Thanks to its modular and distinctly unmilitary design, the U-2 fit the bill and sidestepped the Air Force's objections when the command of the operation went to the CIA. —David Szondy march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026 Israel hit warships, a port, a command center and a shipyard used to repair and maintain vessels, the report said. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
Now, to paraphrase a spring comment made by Schumaker, velocity means little if it’s not commanded well. —Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026 Artemis 2 is commanded by veteran astronaut Reid Wiseman, with Victor Glover as pilot, both of NASA. —Tariq Malik, Space.com, 30 Mar. 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
  • The MorphoScan scale comes with an instruction manual and a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, but no wall brick.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Gardeners should carefully read and follow label instructions and avoid applying treatments when pollinators are most active.
    — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • The driver had no valid commercial driver's license and could not meet the English language proficiency requirement.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Researchers found that Latino students faced myriad challenges, including immigration issues, English proficiency and unstable housing that is linked to their parents’ employment status.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of proficiency
Noun
  • The public displays of control are happening amid an internal bureaucratic collapse.
    — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • But the major goal of the flight, along with putting the Orion through its paces, is to test the planning, procedures and flight control protocols for managing upcoming moon landing missions after a half-century gap between the Artemis and Apollo programs.
    — William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of control
Noun
  • Ho Tzu Nyen’s virtual reality installation Voice of Void, 2021, which was on view at Berlin’s Neugerriemschneider gallery this spring, offers a glimpse of such possibilities.
    — Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Set the scene Soaring at 1,000 feet above sea level on the St James hills, just a 10-minute drive from the heat and bustle of the west coast’s towns and beaches, Apes Hill offers a refreshing breeze and views of both the Caribbean and Atlantic.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of view
Verb
  • There's text messages about ordering ethylene glycol.
    — Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, supreme commander of the Luftwaffe, Hitler’s second in command, and the highest-ranking surviving Nazi leader, steps out of the car, stands at attention to announce his surrender, and orders the soldiers to carry his bags.
    — Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of order
Verb
  • The substitute also allows for the state to request a hardship waiver, something that was blocked under the original bill, from the community engagement requirements for counties with high unemployment, greater than 8% or one-and-a-half times higher than the national rate.
    — Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026
  • This session, the Legislature also passed House Bill 822, which requires schools and health care providers to inform a parent within 72 hours if a child requests to take steps to socially transition, which could include using pronouns or names that align with their gender identity.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of request
Verb
  • Snuffing them out demanded excellence.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Addressing screens in school demands a greater sense of urgency.
    — Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of demand
Verb
  • The fight to fly ultralights from the Yuba County Airport has continued months after the county ended its yearslong ban of the small aircraft, with the Federal Aviation Administration now poised to rule on the claims of discrimination and lack of compliance alleged by ultralight pilots.
    — Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The medical examiner ruled Mitchell's death a homicide from blunt force trauma, according to prosecutors.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of rule

Phrases Containing command

Browse Nearby Words

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 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on command

Nglish: Translation of command for Spanish Speakers

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