1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Command.

2. (a.) Exercising authority; actually in command; as, a commanding officer.

3. (a.) Fitted to impress or control; as, a commanding look or presence.

4. (a.) Exalted; overlooking; having superior strategic advantages; as, a commanding position.

absolute ascendant at the head authoritarian authoritative authorized autocratic boss chief clothed with authority compelling competent consequential considerable controlling decretal decretive decretory dictating directing directive directorial directory dominant duly constituted eminent empowered ex officio general governing great guiding head hegemonic hegemonistic imperative important in ascendancy in charge in chief in the ascendant influential instructive jussive leading managerial managing mandating master mighty momentous monocratic obligating official paramount peremptory potent powerful preceptive predominant predominate preeminent prepollent preponderant preponderate prepotent prescriptive prestigious prevalent prominent puissant ranking regnant regulating regulative regulatory reigning ruling senior sovereign substantial superior supreme totalitarian weighty