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

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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 The video shows Putin wearing military uniform and greeting senior Russian commanders. — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Ukraine has liberated 107 square miles in the operation that started in the summer, Ukraine's Third Army Corps commander Brig. — Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026 The Global Force Management Allocation Plan, or GFMAP, is at the center of the process, laying out which forces will be provided to combatant commanders, for what missions and for how long. — James Laporta, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Ukraine has liberated 107 square miles in the operation that started in the summer, Third Army Corps commander Brig. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
  1. commandant
  2. captain
  3. skipper
Noun
  • When seven prisoners break out of the camp, Fahrenberg, the commandant, has the trees shorn of their branches and turned into crosses.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of commandant
Noun
  • Adebayo, who took over as Heat captain when Haslem retired, is also on a path that could result in a Heat jersey retirement ceremony down the road.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Manchester United's loss to Bournemouth increased the pressure on manager Michael Carrick, who dropped captain Bruno Fernandes from the starting lineup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of captain
Noun
  • The new manager in 2027 will be the franchise's sixth full-time manager since longtime skipper Mike Scioscia was fired in 2018.
    — Austin Turner, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But the visitors got off to a slow start after losing in-form skipper Shai Hope for just five runs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of skipper

Phrases Containing commander

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commandeers
commander
commander in chief
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Cite this Entry

“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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