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to command

to command

307 2.7
To give orders and control people or things
  • verb
  • /kəˈmænd/
translation icon : mandar
  • - I command this unit!
  • authority to command
  • power to command
  • command an army

Fine, then what if God commanded that rape was ethical?

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Examples

Synonyms

to control
vsto command
2.4

To have power over people, things, or situations

is more about issuing direct instructions and authoritative direction than general management
to order
vsto command
902 1.3

To tell someone to do something in an official way

is about exercising authority and long term control rather than a single instruction
to instruct
vsto command
188 2.8

To tell someone to do something, often as an order

is less about technical directions and more about overall authority and control
to dictate
vsto command
181 5.0

To give orders that control what other people do

is more about exercising authority widely rather than only giving detailed directions
to govern
vsto command
171 2.9

To rule a country using law or force

is broader, applying to any authority or control, not limited to legal or national rule
to boss
vsto command
48 3.1

To tell other people what to do in a rude way

is more neutral, focusing on formal authority rather than personal force
to rule over
vsto command
23 4.2

To be in charge of people or a place

is more about giving direct instructions than simply holding long term control
to enjoin
vsto command
  • Formal
13 8.6

To officially order someone to do or not do something, often by a court

is broader, covering general exercise of authority and directing people
to lord over
vsto command
  • Informal
8 7.5

To treat other people as if you are better than them

is about formal authority and directing others, not personal domination or arrogance

Antonyms

To make someone have less power or confidence to control their own life

Idioms

A polite way to say you will do what someone asks

Phrasal Verbs

To get respect and authority from other people because of your behavior or position

To make people look at or listen to you

Compounds

A system in an organization where instructions move from people at the top to people below

A person who helps the leader and takes charge if they are away

command post
  • Jargon
27 5.3

A place where a military leader directs soldiers during an operation

command module
  • Specialized
12 7.0

The part of a spacecraft where astronauts live, control the ship, and talk with Earth

9 4.8

A group of top leaders who have the most power in an army or organization

command line
  • Specialized
8 4.8

A place where you type text commands to control a computer

voice command
  • Specialized
3 3.7

A spoken instruction you give to a device to make it do something

2 6.7

An act or show that impresses important people

command prompt
  • Specialized
2 4.2

A line on the screen that shows the computer is ready for you to type a command

1 6.8

A senior soldier who helps run a group of soldiers and manages discipline and administration

command key
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A key on Apple keyboards that you press with other keys to use shortcuts

1 6.7

A way to control a computer by typing text instructions

system command
  • Specialized
1 4.3

An instruction typed by a computer user to make the computer do something

command guidance
  • Specialized
6.1

A way of controlling a missile by sending instructions from the ground or another missile

command language
  • Specialized
7.5

Written instructions that tell a computer what tasks to do

command overhead
  • Specialized
6.7

Extra time or work a device needs before it runs a command

7.1

Time a computer or machine takes to get ready before it runs a command

Time a device takes to get ready before it starts a command

The United States Army unit that investigates serious crimes involving soldiers worldwide

A major part of the United States Air Force that operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, and rescue aircraft

A former part of the United States Air Force that managed military space and missile operations

7.7

A major NATO headquarters in the United States that planned and led sea operations in the Atlantic

Allied Command Europe
  • Specialized
6.0

The main NATO military headquarters responsible for protecting the area from Norway to Turkey

6.7

Great skill and control in a subject or activity

A Palestinian political group that uses armed attacks for its goals

An agency that investigates crimes by members of the United States Army worldwide

How Forceful

to dictate
181 5.0
to command
307 2.7
to order
902 1.3
to instruct
188 2.8
to request
1.0
to ask
1.0

Surface Forms

command infinitive
commanded past
commanded past participle
commanding present participle
commands third person singular

Etymology

Command as a verb comes from Latin commandare 'to order' (from mandare 'to give in charge'). That is why to command people is to give orders or lead with authority.