command

n.

1. An order

   injunction, direction, directive, dictation, demand, decree, ultimatum, prohibition, interdiction, canon, rule, call, summons, imposition, precept, mandate, charge, behest, edict, proclamation, instruction, proscription, ban, adjuration, requirement, dictate, subpoena, commandment, dictum, word of command, writ, citation, imperative, notification, will, regulation, ordinance, law, act, fiat, bidding, word, requisition, request, exaction, enactment, order of the day, caveat, prescript, warrant; see also law 3, request.

   Antonyms countermand, revocation, retraction.

2. The power to issue orders

   authority, control, leadership, mastery, sway, domination, dominion, sovereignty, rule, coercion, compulsion, constraint, restraint, hold, grasp, grip, charge, direction, management, prerogative, right, headship, warrant, authorization, supremacy, primacy, suzerainty, jurisdiction, absolutism, despotism, tyranny, ascendancy, lead, supervision, predominance, government, rulership, superintendence, directorship, presidency, empire, lordship, royalty; see also administration 1, power 2.

3. Ability to use

   mastery, expertise, facility, grasp; see ability 2, mastery 2.

4. An area or group subject to orders

   unit, squad, group, company, battalion, regiment, division, army, air command, post, fort, camp, garrison, brigade, platoon, corps, battery, administrative and tactical unit, sector, field of command, vanguard, rear, center, left flank, right flank, area under a commander, station under a commander; see also army 2. See syn. study at power.

command

v.

1. To issue an order

   order, bid, charge, direct, instruct, authorize, enjoin, dictate, decree, proscribe, prescribe, tell, forbid, demand, restrain, check, prohibit, interdict, inhibit, ban, bar, rule, rule out, debar, call, summon, ordinate, mandate, cite, set, require, impose, exact, appoint, commission, give orders, give directions, proclaim, issue a command, call to order, send for, beckon, send on a mission, force upon, call on, call upon, take charge, take the lead, enact, ordain, order with authority, make a requisition, task, inflict, compel, adjure, subpoena, warrant, call for, state authoritatively, lay down the law*, call the shots*, boss around*, put one's foot down*, say the word*; see also require 2.

   Antonyms obey*, submit*, follow. *

2. To have control

   direct, rule, govern, dominate, overrule, have sway, determine, override, control, master, conquer, guide, lead, have the ascendancy, compel, conduct, administer, supervise, superintend, run, reign, have authority over, overbear, coach, head, dictate, exact, restrain, check, manage, curb, have at one's bidding, have at one's disposal, hold, hold back, force, wield influence, carry authority, be head of, boss, predominate, preside over, reign over, oppress, tyrannize, repress, prevail, exercise power over, domineer, lord it, constrain, hinder, subdue, prevail over, push, coerce, be master of, oppress, have superiority over, have dominion over, require, oblige, shepherd, captain, train, limit, hold office, occupy a post, officiate, chair, take possession of, impel, drive, move, regulate, have the deciding voice, take charge of, have charge of, take over, take in hand, keep in hand, take the reins, hold the reins, be the boss of, rule the roost*, crack the whip*, run the show*, be in the saddle, be in the driver's seat*, wrap around one's finger*, have the upper hand*, have the whip hand*, call the shots*; see also govern, manage 1.

command, when it refers to a giving of orders, implies the formal exercise of absolute authority, as by a sovereign or military leader; order often stresses peremptoriness, sometimes suggesting an arbitrary exercise of authority I ordered them out of the house; direct and instruct are both used in connection with supervision, as in business relations, instruct perhaps more often stressing explicitness of details in the directions given; enjoin suggests a directing with urgent admonition he enjoined us to secrecy and sometimes implies a legal prohibition the company was enjoined from using false advertising; charge implies the imposition of a task as a duty, trust, or responsibility