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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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 Misleading reports from Ukrainian commanders to their superiors were hampering their defense, DeepState posted on Wednesday. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2025 The country is currently led by former rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa who was appointed transitional president last March, having acted as its de-facto leader following Al-Assad’s flight to Russia. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 July 2025 Vern Jumper, the courageous Navy commander who helped more than 3,000 Americans and South Vietnamese refugees flee Saigon during the final hours of the Vietnam War, died at home in La Mesa on July 4. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025 That is starting to change, with US Space Force commanders now openly discussing their own ambitions for offensive and defensive counter-space weapons. Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for commander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commander
Noun
  • Prior to her appointment to commandant, Fagan served in several other leadership roles, including as vice commandant and commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Mahoney also performed the duties of acting commandant of the Marine Corps from November 2023 to March 2024 after Gen. Eric Smith suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.
    Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • At the center of Chicago’s youth movement is Connor Bedard, the 19-year-old center who’s already drawn comparisons to 37-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby for his playmaking on the ice.
    Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • The Crystal Cup Finale will be attended by Ryder Cup European team captain Luke Donald and Solheim Cup winner Lexi Thompson, who are serving as official Crystal Cup ambassadors.
    Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • With Boone managing the American League after winning a pennant last season, there had been some assumptions that the skipper would/could pick Fried to start the exhibition.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
  • Former charter skipper Basil Symonette founded Bitter End in the late 1960s.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commander. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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