commanding

American  

[kuh-man-ding, -mahn-] / kəˈmæn dɪŋ, -ˈmɑn- /

adjective

1. being in command.

   a commanding officer.

2. appreciably superior or imposing; winning; sizable.

   a commanding position; a commanding lead in the final period.

3. having the air, tone, etc., of command; imposing; authoritative.

   a man of commanding appearance; a commanding voice.

4. dominating by position, usually elevation; overlooking.

   a commanding bluff at the mouth of the river.

5. (of a view, or prospect) provided by a commanding location and so permitting dominance.

   a commanding view of the mouth of the river.

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commanding British  

/ kəˈmɑːndɪŋ /

adjective

1. being in command

2. having the air of authority

   a commanding voice

3. (of a position, situation, etc) exerting control

4. (of a height, viewpoint, etc) overlooking; advantageous

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Other Word Forms

• commandingly adverb
• commandingness noun
• quasi-commanding adjective
• quasi-commandingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of commanding

First recorded in 1475–85; command + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Pakistan piled on 70 runs in the final five overs to surge to a commanding total.

From Barron's

“Good evening, everybody,” Huppert began, her structural, white Balenciaga gown commanding the room’s attention.

From Salon

The voice was high, and shrill, and commanding.

From Literature

The man in front of me is an officer, commanding me to solemnly swear that I will not share any secrets.

From Literature

Liverpool booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a commanding 6-0 victory over Qarabag on Wednesday.

From Barron's

Related Words

• assertive
• compelling
• decisive
• dominant
• dominating
• forceful
• imposing
• impressive
• lofty