commander

noun

kə-ˈman-dər How to pronounce commander (audio)
Definition of commandernext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in captain
a person in overall command of a ship the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 commander Mobilization problems, desertion and a shrinking pool of eligible men leave exhausted soldiers serving longer and commanders struggling to rotate forces along the 775-mile front. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 On February 14, 2024, the air force struck a tunnel in that neighborhood, targeting two senior Hamas commanders, unaware of six hostages inside. — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 One person who could make a huge impact on how books and other recreation equipment were treated was the theater’s commander, General Douglas MacArthur. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 Crew 12 commander Jessica Meir is taken inside the recovery ship Shannon for medical checks, smiling and waving to supporters along the way. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
  1. commandant
  2. captain
  3. skipper
Noun
  • According to this order, the prisoner is informed of the president's decision in person by the commandant, who is accompanied by a chaplain and, if available, a defense attorney.
    — Meagan Harris, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered the immediate suspension of Niger ‌State’s ⁠NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of a full investigation.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of commandant
Noun
  • The production is one reason at least one team captain thinks this is the best TCU defense in years.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026
  • That night, it would be signed by the oceanographer, former Navy captain, and retired astronaut Kathryn Sullivan—the first person to both walk in outer space and visit the deepest point of the ocean, in the Mariana Trench.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of captain
Noun
  • Judge, along with Michael Schuck, the club’s director of sports medicine and rehabilitation, conferred with the skipper.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Most managers and bench coaches conduct this business from the skipper’s office.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of skipper

Phrases Containing commander

Browse Nearby Words

commandeers
commander
commander in chief
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All