Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun commander

4 senses of commander

Sense 1
commanding officer, commandant, commander -- (an officer in command of a military unit)
       => military officer, officer -- (any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command; "an officer is responsible for the lives of his men")

Sense 2
commander -- (someone in an official position of authority who can command or control others)
       => leader -- (a person who rules or guides or inspires others)

Sense 3
commander -- (a commissioned naval officer who ranks above a lieutenant commander and below a captain)
       => commissioned naval officer -- (a commissioned officer in the navy)

Sense 4
air force officer, commander -- (an officer in the airforce)
       => serviceman, military man, man, military personnel -- (someone who serves in the armed forces; a member of a military force; "two men stood sentry duty")