commanding

1. 1
   adjective

   Impressively dominant in a way that stands out as very good and clearly superior.

   The champion held a commanding lead going into the final lap.

   The company posted a commanding share of the market this year.

   Similardominant, decisive, strong, unassailable, comfortable

   Oppositeslim, narrow, slight

   Note

   Here the dominance is admired rather than resented, which is what separates it from the bossy, authoritarian meaning. A conductor can be praised as both collaborative and commanding, and Pierre Boulez can be called one of the most commanding musicians of his century with no hint of tyranny. Its natural partners are presence, lead, share and structure. A commanding presence impresses a room; it does not order it about.

   She was a collaborative and commanding presence on the podium.

   He was one of the most commanding musicians of his generation.

2. 2
   adjective

   Positioned high above and overlooking a wide area, so as to give a broad view.

   The fortress occupied a commanding position on the ridge.

   From its commanding height, the lighthouse could be seen for miles.

   Similardominant, elevated, lofty, prominent

   Oppositelow-lying

   Note

   A word about vantage: the height that lets a place look out over everything around it. The adjective moves easily from the position to what the position offers, so a view can be commanding as well as a ridge or a fortress. In Rail magazine in 2018, the signalmen at Shrewsbury's Severn Bridge Junction box enjoy an uninterrupted and commanding view of the junction below. Position, height and view are its usual companions.

3. 3
   adjective

   Inclined to give orders and take charge, often in an authoritarian way.

   The general spoke in a commanding voice that nobody dared question.

   His commanding attitude with the junior staff bordered on overbearing.

   Similarauthoritative, imperious, domineering, assertive, masterful

   Oppositemeek, timid, submissive, diffident

4. 4
   verb

   Present participle of command.

   He is commanding a fleet of merchant vessels this season.

   The general was commanding three divisions during the campaign.

   Note

   The verbal -ing form shares its spelling with three adjectives and with the noun for the act itself. The test is the object. The verb takes one, as in commanding a fleet, commanding three divisions or commanding respect. The adjective takes none, and it accepts more and most, as in a more commanding voice. As a gerund it can also head a phrase, as in commanding troops is hard work.

5. 5
   noununcountable

   The act or process of giving a command or order.

   The commanding of troops requires both clear authority and steady nerves.

   Effective leadership involves far more than the mere commanding of subordinates.

   Similardirection, leadership, control

   Note

   A genuine noun, not merely the gerund, because it can take a plural. William E. Mann's Augustine's Confessions (2006) speaks of "the earlier commandings," counting separate acts of ordering one by one. When it is uncountable, it is usually followed by of, as in the commanding of troops. When the acts themselves need counting, commandings is available, though most writers simply name the commands.

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