Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a position of authority or control; giving orders: Describes someone or something that is in charge, exercising leadership or control.
   • Dominating from a superior position; impressive and powerful: Describes something that has a powerful, impressive, or imposing presence, often due to its physical position, size, or nature.
   • Wide-ranging; extensive: Describes a view or perspective that is broad and unobstructed, allowing one to see a large area.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • She has a commanding presence in the boardroom. (She has an authoritative and impressive presence.)
  • The general spoke in a commanding voice. (The general spoke with an authoritative tone that demanded attention.)
  • The castle stood on a commanding hilltop. (The castle was situated on a dominant hilltop position.)
  • From the tower, we had a commanding view of the entire valley. (From the tower, we had a wide, extensive view.)

Advanced Usage

• "Commanding lead/advantage": A very large and dominant lead in a competition or situation.
  • The home team took a commanding lead in the first half.
• "Commanding officer": The officer in charge of a military unit, installation, or ship.
  • All personnel must report to the commanding officer.

Variants and Related Words

• Command (verb/noun): To give an authoritative order; an authoritative order.
  • The officer will command the troops.
• Commander (noun): A person in authority, especially over a body of troops or a military operation.
  • The commander made a strategic decision.
• Commandingly (adverb): In a commanding manner.
  • He spoke commandingly to the crowd.

Synonyms

• Authoritative: Having or showing confident and imposing authority.
• Dominant: Having power and influence over others; most important or prominent.
• Imposing: Grand and impressive in appearance.
• Overlooking: Affording a view from above.

Antonyms

• Submissive: Ready to conform to the authority or will of others.
• Unimpressive: Not inspiring respect or admiration.
• Obscured: Blocked from view; not clear or prominent.

Related Phrases

• In a commanding position: To be in a dominant or controlling situation.
  • The new evidence put the prosecutor in a commanding position.
• Commanding respect: Naturally inspiring respect from others due to one's qualities or position.
  • Her integrity and experience command respect from her colleagues.

Adjective

1. used of a height or viewpoint
   • a commanding view of the ocean
   • looked up at the castle dominating the countryside
   • the balcony overlooking the ballroom