commanding

[ kuh-man-ding, -mahn- ]

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.

commanding

/ 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

Derived Forms

• comˈmandingly, adverb

Other Words From

• com·manding·ly adverb
• com·manding·ness noun
• quasi-com·manding adjective
• quasi-com·manding·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of commanding¹

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

Example Sentences

Petrosian scored twice on breakouts in the last 35 seconds of the third quarter to give Cleveland a commanding seven-goal lead.

From Los Angeles Times

Marcus Smith, who put in another clever, commanding display despite defeat, sparked into life for the opening try.

From BBC

Then Donald Trump delivered a commanding victory over Kamala Harris, winning at least five battleground states, and performing unexpectedly well in other places.

From BBC

And he won Tuesday’s election in far more commanding fashion than his previous bare victory.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a masterful captain's innings from Hope that put the Windies in a commanding position at the halfway stage, despite losing the toss.

From BBC

Related Words

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