1
as in commandant
one in official command especially of a military force or base
a surrender of the fort by the commander without a single shot having been fired
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2
as in captain
a person in overall command of a ship
the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commander
Lawrence sacrifices himself, as well as Nick and Wharton, by sneaking a bomb onto the commanders' D.C.-bound plane.
—
EW.com, 20 May 2025
In September 2022, the Kremlin agreed to free all of the top commanders from Azovstal in what became the biggest swap of the war up to that point.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 16 May 2025
Hours later, as the commanders slept at home in a medicated stupor, the handmaids spread out all over with the intent of killing Gilead’s leaders in their sleep.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 May 2025
When his estranged son vanishes during a space mission, a once-legendary, now fallen from grace shuttle commander is pulled into a high-stakes hostage exchange in space to get his boy back from captors who are not from Earth.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for commander
EW.com, 20 May 2025
In September 2022, the Kremlin agreed to free all of the top commanders from Azovstal in what became the biggest swap of the war up to that point.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 16 May 2025
Hours later, as the commanders slept at home in a medicated stupor, the handmaids spread out all over with the intent of killing Gilead’s leaders in their sleep.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 May 2025
When his estranged son vanishes during a space mission, a once-legendary, now fallen from grace shuttle commander is pulled into a high-stakes hostage exchange in space to get his boy back from captors who are not from Earth.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
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The photo album belonged to Karl Höcker, a former bank clerk who came to Auschwitz to be commandant Richard Baer’s right-hand man.—
Karen D'Souza,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
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Soon afterward, some online noted that the band’s X account had been deactivated and assumed — incorrectly — it was tied to Casey’s criticism of President Trump and his co-president, X commandant Elon Musk.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Stars’ captain, Benn, absolutely plastered Bouchard in the second period with a heavy hit on the forecheck.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
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Normally, the Knicks’ captain, floor general and reigning NBA Clutch Player of the Year is on the court when his team is trying to win a game in the final period.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
Noun
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The 73-year-old skipper, in his second season leading the Halos, identified a characteristic missing from last year’s Angels.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
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The skipper leapt over the hoardings and ran up the stadium steps to celebrate with Juventus fans, capping an excellent performance on the night.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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