commanding

adjective

com·​mand·​ing kə-ˈman-diŋ 

1

: drawing attention or priority

a commanding presence

2

: difficult to overcome

a commanding lead

commandingly

kə-ˈman-diŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• chief
• first
• foremost
• head
• high
• lead
• leading
• preeminent
• premier
• presiding
• primary
• prime
• principal
• supereminent
• supreme
• top

Examples of commanding in a Sentence

He has a very commanding voice.

She holds a commanding lead in the polls.

Our team was in a commanding position as the game neared its end.

The castle is in a commanding position at the top of the hill.

The hill provides a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite its commanding presence, the Navigator doesn’t drive like a tank. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 17 June 2025

The 1794 doesn’t have what was expected, a commanding road presence. —James Raia, Mercury News, 16 June 2025

The Pacers were right there, seconds from a commanding 3-1 lead. —Tony East, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

Game 4 of the NBA Finals is set for an 8:30 pm tipoff at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, as the Indiana Pacers look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, while the Oklahoma City Thunder look for a road split to tie the series at 2-2. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing commanding

• commanding officer
• commanding presence

Rhymes for commanding

• demanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding
• misbranding
• outstanding
• remanding
• upstanding
• withstanding
• banding
• branding
• handing