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
When Sevier instructed Walker to take the eastbound exit onto eastbound I-70, Walker allegedly disregarded the commands and attempted to continue north on Manchester and struck Sevier with his car. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2025 The Guard will be back under my command — and Donald Trump will be relieved of his command at noon tomorrow. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 June 2025
Verb
On top of that, Alexander could still command a one-year deal in the range of $8 million to $10 million. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025 Audra McDonald The six-time Tony winner served some high-fashion drama in a sculptural black sequin gown with a purple train that commanded the red carpet. —Brittany Talarico, People.com, 9 June 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
  • Residents were advised to heed official warnings throughout the severe weather cycle and stay alert for any additional storm advisories or emergency instructions.
    — Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • The only instructions for the theater audience that night will be to get their butts in the seats before curtain.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 6 June 2025
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • To perform each individual task effectively, an employee needs a certain level of proficiency in different skills.
    — Abakar Saidov, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Over the past two seasons, Williams’ proficiency in the midrange has become an integral part of the Thunder’s half-court setup, finishing the regular season in the 93rd and 96th percentile in midrange attempts, according to Cleaning the Glass.
    — Kelly Iko, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Definition of proficiency
Noun
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
  • An employee uses a radio transceiver at the control room for traffic and crowd management for pilgrims at the General Transport Centre at the Royal Commission for Mecca and Holy Sites in Mecca on June 3, 2025.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • In November, the ESA released images the Solar Orbiter obtained in March 2023 that the agency said are the highest-resolution views of the sun's surface, known as the photosphere, to date.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • His lawyers, meanwhile, challenged the legality of Khalil’s detention and contend he was targeted for his pro-Palestinian views in violation of his constitutional rights.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Definition of view
Verb
  • The last time a president called in the National Guard without a governor’s cooperation was in 1965, when Lyndon B. Johnson ordered troops to protect civil rights demonstrators in Alabama.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
  • Helen's Tomato Pie Senior Digital News Editor Rebecca Baer heads to one of downtown Birmingham’s most popular restaurants, Helen, each summer to order their beloved Tomato Pie.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
Definition of order
Verb
  • On June 4, lawyers for the 27-year-old rapper and Twitch streamer – born Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr. – requested a temporary emergency order in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to a filing reviewed by USA TODAY.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • Officials discussed requesting state and county funding for future recreation opportunities.
    — Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Definition of request
Verb
  • On Monday, around 150 demonstrators marched through downtown Sacramento, chanting and rallying at the local ICE office to demand a halt to deportations.
    — Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025
  • The Jets have a demanding schedule to begin the season.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
Definition of demand
Verb
  • In Alabama, after the state's Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are people, the state legislature had to step in to allow fertility clinics to continue their work.
    — Jess Mador, NPR, 7 June 2025
  • The District Court for the District of South Carolina had ruled in favor of the NAACP following the organization's claims of racial gerrymandering involving South Carolina's 1st Congressional District on the state's coast.
    — Alex Thomas, Arkansas Online, 7 June 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 16 Jun. 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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Rare and Amusing Insults, Volume 3

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
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 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
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All