commanding

/kəˈmɑːndɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈmændɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈman-diŋ/ (ame, mw)

commanding — adjective

  • commandingpositive
  • more commandingcomparative
  • most commandingsuperlative

1. in an official role that gives someone the right to give orders to others, espec

1.形容詞C1
釋義

in an official role that gives someone the right to give orders to others, especially in the army or police

例句

Colonel Bilal was the commanding officer of the base near the border.

attributive: commanding officer in military rank context

The commanding general visited the wounded soldiers in the field hospital.

同義詞
  • ranking

    Like 'commanding officer', 'ranking officer' marks who is in charge, but 'ranking' just means highest among those present.

  • presiding

    Used for someone running a meeting, court, or ceremony; 'commanding' is the military or police counterpart.

反義詞
  • subordinate

    Describes someone lower in rank who must obey the commanding officer.

文法句型

commanding + officer/role noun

用法筆記

Almost always attributive (before the noun) and most often paired with rank words: officer, general, admiral. Distinguish from sense 2 — this sense is about an official military or police role, not about a personal manner.

常見錯誤

❌The officer was commanding of the soldiers.
✅The officer was in command of the soldiers.
💡In this sense, 'commanding' goes before a noun like 'officer'; use 'in command' after a verb.

2. if a person, voice, or manner is like this, it is so strong and confident that p

2.形容詞C1
釋義

if a person, voice, or manner is like this, it is so strong and confident that people pay attention and want to obey

例句

Antonia spoke in a commanding voice that made the noisy classroom fall silent.

common collocation: commanding voice

The new headmaster had a commanding presence that the parents noticed within minutes.

common collocation: commanding presence

同義詞
  • authoritative

    Very close in meaning, but 'authoritative' can also describe expert knowledge; 'commanding' focuses on how the person sounds or looks.

  • imposing

    Highlights physical size or visual effect; 'commanding' covers voice and manner as well.

反義詞
  • meek

    Quiet and unwilling to draw attention — the opposite of having a commanding presence.

  • diffident

    Hesitant and shy in front of others.

文法句型

have a commanding + voice/presence/manner

用法筆記

Frequently collocates with abstract nouns about how a person comes across: voice, tone, manner, presence, way. Distinguish from sense 1 — this is about personal style, not an official rank.

常見錯誤

❌Antonia spoke commanding to the class.
✅Antonia spoke in a commanding voice to the class.
💡Use it before a noun like 'voice' or 'tone', not as an adverb.

3. describing a lead or position so far ahead of others that you are very likely to

3.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a lead or position so far ahead of others that you are very likely to come first in a game, race, election, or contest

例句

By the third quarter, the home team had built a commanding lead of twenty points.

common collocation: commanding lead

Rachel finished the marathon in a commanding position, far ahead of the next runner.

common collocation: commanding position

同義詞
  • decisive

    Stresses that the result is no longer in doubt; 'commanding' stresses the size of the gap.

  • unassailable

    Even stronger — the lead cannot possibly be caught; 'commanding' allows a small chance of being overtaken.

反義詞
  • narrow

    A narrow lead is small and could easily be lost; a commanding lead is large and safe.

文法句型

a commanding + lead/position/advantage

用法筆記

Object slots are almost always 'lead', 'position', 'advantage', 'margin', or 'majority'. Distinguish from sense 4 — that one is about a physical viewpoint, not about scoring or winning.

常見錯誤

❌The team is commanding the game by twenty points.
✅The team has a commanding lead of twenty points.
💡Use it before a noun like 'lead' or 'position', not as a verb describing the action of leading.

4. describing a high or open spot, or a building on such a spot, from which you can

4.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a high or open spot, or a building on such a spot, from which you can see a wide area below or around you

例句

Tamar's hotel room offered a commanding view of Lisbon's old harbour and red rooftops.

common collocation: commanding view of [place]

The hilltop temple stood in a commanding position above the rice fields of Naoko's village.

common collocation: commanding position above [area]

同義詞
  • panoramic

    Stresses that the view covers a wide angle; 'commanding' adds the idea of being higher than what you see.

  • sweeping

    Used of a wide view across open land; 'commanding' is more about looking down on the area.

反義詞
  • restricted

    A restricted view is blocked or narrow — the opposite of a commanding one.

文法句型

a commanding + view/position (of a place)

用法筆記

Object slot is normally 'view' or 'position', followed by 'of' + place. Distinguish from sense 3 — here 'commanding position' means a high physical spot, not a winning advantage in a contest.

常見錯誤

❌The hotel has a commanding to the sea.
✅The hotel has a commanding view of the sea.
💡Always pair with 'view' or 'position', followed by 'of'.