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Definition of 'commanding'

Word Frequency

commanding

(kəmɑːndɪŋ , -mænd-)
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you are in a commanding position or situation, you are in a strong or powerful position or situation.
Right now you're in a more commanding position than you have been for ages.
The French vessel has a commanding lead.
Synonyms: dominant, controlling, dominating, superior   More Synonyms of commanding
2. adjective
If you describe someone as commanding, you mean that they are powerful and confident.
[approval]
Lovett was a tall, commanding man with a waxed gray moustache.
The voice at the other end of the line was serious and commanding.
Synonyms: authoritative, imposing, impressive, compelling   More Synonyms of commanding
3. graded adjective
If a building has a commanding position, it is high up and has good views of the surrounding area.
The size of the castle and its commanding position still impress the visitor today.
What other home offers such a commanding view of the capital?
4.  See also command
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

commanding in British

(kəˈmɑːndɪŋ )
adjective (usually prenominal)
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
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
commandingly (comˈmandingly)
  adverb
Word Frequency

commanding in American

(kəˈmændɪŋ ; kəmanˈdiŋ; kəˈmɑndɪŋ ; kəmänˈdiŋ)
verb transitive, verb intransitive
1.  prp. of
command
adjective
2. 
having authority; controlling or dominating
3. 
impressive, esp. in a dignified or imperial way
4. 
controlling or dominating by position
a commanding hilltop
5. 
very large
a commanding lead
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Example sentences containing 'commanding'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Commanding officers have now spoken to the soldiers to ensure they receive all necessary advice and support. The Sun (2011)Commanding performance from the midfield enforcer. The Sun (2013)Commanding display and smart winner. The Sun (2009)

Trends of 'commanding'

In Common Usage. commanding is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'commanding'

British English: commanding ADJECTIVE
If you are in a commanding position or situation, you are in a strong or powerful position or situation.
Right now you're in a more commanding position than you have been for ages.
  • American English: commanding
  • Brazilian Portuguese: autoritário
  • Chinese: 支配的
  • European Spanish: dominante
  • French: dominant
  • German: führend
  • Italian: autorevole
  • Japanese: 堂々とした
  • Korean: 우세한
  • European Portuguese: autoritário
  • Spanish: dominante

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Nearby words of 'commanding'

  • commander in chief
  • commanders in chief
  • commandery
  • commanding
  • commanding officer
  • commandment
  • commando

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'C'

Related Terms of 'commanding'

  • command
  • commanding officer
  • General Officer Commanding

Source

Definition of commanding from the Collins English Dictionary

Compound nouns

A compound noun is a noun that is formed from two or more words. The meaning of the whole compound is often different from the meaning of the two words on their own. Compound nouns are very common. T...
Read more about 'Compound nouns'
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Scrabble score for 'commanding': 18
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