order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.
ordered his employees about
bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).
she bade him be seated
enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.
a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet
direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.
directed her assistant to hold all calls
the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark
charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.
power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.
the power to mold public opinion
authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.
granted the authority to manage her estate
jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.
the bureau having jurisdiction over parks
control stresses the power to direct and restrain.
you are responsible for the students under your control
command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.
the army officer in command
sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.
the empire extended its sway over the region
dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.
given dominion over all the animals
Example Sentences
Verb She commanded us to leave. Military leaders commanded the troops to open fire. She commanded that work on the bridge cease immediately. We had no choice but to do as they commanded. He commands a platoon of 60. With his skills and experience, he can command a high salary. The company commands much power and influence in the business world. Noun We are expected to obey his commands. She shouted out commands to the crew. We started to teach the dog simple commands like “sit” and “lie down.” You can perform several actions with keyboard commands. The system recognizes voice commands. He was relieved of his command after being charged with misconduct. Who is the officer in command of the unit? I assumed command of the business after my father's death. He immediately took command of the situation. He finally felt in command of his life. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Apple is expected to command almost 49% of the US smartphone market this year, according to Insider Intelligence, with that increasing to nearly 50% by 2024. Mark Gurman, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2022 Keys is an artist who’s always been able to command a lot of genres and a lot of audience. Annie Nickoloff, cleveland, 20 Aug. 2022 Now, as more workers return to hospitals, some can command five-figure signing bonuses in places where there are staffing shortages. Callum Borchers, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 All will command expensive deals, whether in Cincinnati or somewhere else. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 27 Aug. 2022 Few can command a step and repeat at the Met quite like Lively. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2022 Black Americans command about 9% of the nation’s total buying power, according to data collected by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia. Ryan Young, CNN, 23 Aug. 2022 As always, quarterbacks will command the brightest spotlight. Mike Jones, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 But now these Asian American chefs command their own kitchens and have created opportunities for the next generation of chefs. Jess Eng, Washington Post, 27 July 2022
Noun
Conrad’s autobiographical tale of his first command, which turns out to be in a rowboat, fleeing a sinking ship with its cargo of burning coal. Riza Cruz, ELLE, 13 Sep. 2022 Like Kopech, the Rockies right-hander has struggled with his command, given his 3.85 BB/9 ratio. Michael Nwaneri, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2022 Although Alexander hasn't walked a ton of batters, his command inside the strike zone has faltered. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022 Bello lost his command and then the game as the Orioles rallied for a 3-2 victory before a crowd of 16,451 at Camden Yards. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Tommy Henry was hit around for the second start in a row, struggling once more with his fastball command. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Ihor, the platoon commander, said 16 of the 32 men under his command were injured and one was killed. John Hudson, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Right now, Green is trying to close the gap between his skills and his command of the playbook. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Having been recalled for Sunday’s game to give the Dodgers’ rotation an extra day of rest, Pepiot struggled with his command and ability to finish at-bats. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2022
Adjective
An upcoming marksmanship exercise for early-August was also canceled, as were a pre-command course, firearms training for soldiers who need to improve their marksmanship, and more. Oren Liebermann, CNN, 23 July 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English comanden, from Anglo-French cumander, from Vulgar Latin *commandare, alteration of Latin commendare to commit to one's charge — more at commend