Command vs. Decree — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 4, 2024
A command is a directive issued by an authority, usually requiring immediate action, while a decree is a formal and authoritative order, often having a legal or official nature.
Difference Between Command and Decree
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Commands are instructions given by an authority figure or institution that are meant to be followed immediately and directly. On the other hand, decrees are formal legal or official orders that carry the weight of law, issued typically by a governmental authority or leader.
Commands can occur in everyday scenarios, like in the military or a workplace, whereas decrees are specific to legal and governmental contexts, often documented and publicized.
Commands require compliance from those to whom they are issued, while decrees not only require compliance but also typically involve legal consequences for non-compliance.
The scope of a command is usually limited to specific people or situations, while a decree is broader, affecting larger groups or even entire countries.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Directive requiring immediate action
Formal legal or official order
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Authority
Can be issued by any level of authority
Issued by high governmental or judicial authority
Scope
Specific to individuals or small groups
Broad, potentially affecting whole populations
Documentation
May not be formally documented
Often formally documented and published
Legal Weight
Typically no legal consequences unless part of contractual duties
Carries legal consequences, enforceable by law
Compare with Definitions
Command
A power or authority to control or direct others.
She had the command over her team to delegate tasks efficiently.
Decree
A pronouncement that carries legal consequences if not followed.
The environmental decree mandated reductions in emissions.
Command
An authoritative order given by a superior, requiring obedience.
The officer issued a command to halt.
Decree
A formal and authoritative order having the force of law behind it.
The royal decree was broadcast nationwide.
Command
Instruction issued in specific contexts like software or machinery.
The command entered into the computer executed the program.
Decree
An official order issued by a legal authority.
The court's decree ended the long-standing dispute.
Command
An order intended for immediate response and action.
Firefighters followed the command to evacuate the area.
Decree
A rule of law issued by a head of state or an institution, having permanent effect.
The government issued a decree imposing new taxes.
Command
A directive from a higher authority in a hierarchy.
His manager's command was to finish the report by noon.
Decree
A decision or order that has the force of law.
The decree made it illegal to park in that area.
Command
Give an authoritative or peremptory order
‘Stop arguing!’ he commanded
My mother commands my presence
He commanded that work should cease
A gruff voice commanded us to enter
Decree
A decree is a rule of law usually issued by a head of state (such as the president of a republic or a monarch), according to certain procedures (usually established in a constitution). It has the force of law.
Command
Dominate (a strategic position) from a superior height
The fortress commands the shortest Channel crossing
Decree
An authoritative order having the force of law.
Command
Be in a strong enough position to have or secure
They command a majority in Parliament
He commanded considerable personal loyalty
Decree
The judgment of a court of equity.
Command
An authoritative order
He obeyed her commands without question
Decree
The judgment of a court.
Command
The ability to use or control something
He had a brilliant command of English
Decree
A doctrinal or disciplinary act of an ecclesiastical authority.
Command
An instruction or signal causing a computer to perform one of its basic functions.
Decree
An administrative act applying or interpreting articles of canon law.
Command
To direct with authority; give orders to.
Decree
To order, establish, or decide by decree
Decreed that the two kingdoms would be united.
Command
To have control or authority over; rule
A general who commands an army.
Decree
To issue a decree.
Command
To have at one's disposal
A person who commands seven languages.
Decree
An edict or law.
Command
To deserve and receive as due; exact
The troops' bravery commanded respect.
Decree
(legal) The judicial decision in a litigated cause rendered by a court of equity.
Command
To exercise dominating, authoritative influence over
"He commands any room he enters" (Stephen Schiff).
Decree
(legal) The determination of a cause in a court of admiralty or court of probate.
Command
To dominate by physical position; overlook
A mountain commanding the valley below.
Decree
(religion) A predetermination made by God; an act of providence.
Command
To give orders.
Decree
To command by a decree.
A court decrees a restoration of property.
Command
To exercise authority or control as or as if one is a commander.
Decree
An order from one having authority, deciding what is to be done by a subordinate; also, a determination by one having power, deciding what is to be done or to take place; edict, law; authoritative ru decision.
There went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
Poor hand, why quiverest thou at this decree?
Command
The act of commanding.
Decree
A decision, order, or sentence, given in a cause by a court of equity or admiralty.
Command
An order given with authority.
Decree
An edict or law made by a council for regulating any business within their jurisdiction; as, the decrees of ecclesiastical councils.
Command
(Computers) A signal that initiates an operation defined by an instruction.
Decree
To determine judicially by authority, or by decree; to constitute by edict; to appoint by decree or law; to determine; to order; to ordain; as, a court decrees a restoration of property.
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee.
Command
The authority to command
An admiral in command.
Decree
To ordain by fate.
Command
Possession and exercise of the authority to command
Command of the seas.
Decree
To make decrees; - used absolutely.
Father eternal! thine is to decree;Mine, both in heaven and earth to do thy will.
Command
Ability to control or use; mastery
Command of four languages.
Decree
A legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge);
A friend in New Mexico said that the order caused no trouble out there
Command
Dominance by location; extent of view.
Decree
Issue a decree;
The King only can decree
Command
The jurisdiction of a commander.
Decree
Decide with authority;
The King decreed that all first-born males should be killed
Command
A military unit, post, district, or region under the control of one officer.
Command
A unit of the US Air Force that is larger than an air force.
Command
Of, relating to, or constituting a command
Command headquarters.
A command decision.
Command
Done or performed in response to a command
A command performance.
Command
An order to do something.
I was given a command to cease shooting.
Command
The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
To have command of an army
Command
Power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
He had command of the situation
England has long held command of the sea
A good command of language
Command
A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
General Smith was placed in command.
Command
The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.
Command
(military) A body or troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer; by extension, any object or body in someone's charge.
Command
Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
Command
(computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
Command
(baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
He's got good command tonight.
Command
A command performance.
Command
(ambitransitive) To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
The king commanded his servant to bring him dinner.
Command
(ambitransitive) To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
To command an army or a ship
Command
(transitive) To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
He commanded silence
Command
(transitive) to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)
Command
(transitive) To exact, compel or secure by influence; to deserve, claim.
A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
Justice commands the respect and affections of the people.
The best goods command the best price.
This job commands a salary of £30,000.
Command
(transitive) To hold, to control the use of.
The fort commanded the bay.
Command
To have a view, as from a superior position.
Command
(obsolete) To direct to come; to bestow.
Command
To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends.
Go to your mistress:Say, I command her come to me.
Command
To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
Such aid as I can spare you shall command.
Command
To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house.
Up to the eastern tower,Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
One side commands a view of the finest garden.
Command
To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.
'Tis not in mortals to command success.
Command
To direct to come; to bestow.
I will command my blessing upon you.
Command
To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
And reigned, commanding in his monarchy.
For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].
Command
To have a view, as from a superior position.
Far and wide his eye commands.
Command
An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty chiefHad to impose.
Command
The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.
Command
Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
Command
Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy standWhich overlooks the vale with wide command.
Command
Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
Command
A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.
Command
An authoritative direction or instruction to do something
Command
A military unit or region under the control of a single officer
Command
The power or authority to command;
An admiral in command
Command
Availability for use;
The materials at the command of the potters grew
Command
A position of highest authority;
The corporation has just undergone a change in command
Command
Great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity;
A good command of French
Command
(computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
Command
Be in command of;
The general commanded a huge army
Command
Make someone do something
Command
Demand as one's due;
This speaker commands a high fee
The author commands a fair hearing from his readers
Command
Look down on;
The villa dominates the town
Command
Exercise authoritative control or power over;
Control the budget
Command the military forces
Common Curiosities
What is a decree?
A decree is a formal order that has legal backing, usually issued by a governmental or judicial body.
Do decrees require immediate action?
While decrees require compliance, they may not always necessitate immediate action as commands do.
Can anyone issue a decree?
No, decrees are typically issued by high-level authorities such as government officials or judges.
Who enforces a decree?
Decrees are enforced by legal or governmental bodies.
Can a command affect the general public?
Generally, commands affect specific individuals or groups, not the general public.
Are commands legally binding?
Commands are not usually legally binding unless they are part of an employment or military obligation.
What is a command?
A command is a directive issued by an authority that requires immediate action.
How does a command differ from a decree?
A command requires immediate action with no legal consequences, while a decree has legal implications and broader scope.
What happens if a decree is not followed?
Non-compliance with a decree can lead to legal penalties.
What historical examples exist of decrees?
Historical examples include royal edicts or governmental orders that have shaped legal systems or social structures.
Can a command be appealed?
Commands typically do not have a formal mechanism for appeal, unlike decrees.
What are examples of commands in everyday life?
Examples include a teacher asking students to quiet down or a boss directing an employee to complete a task.
What makes a decree formal?
Decrees are documented and published, making them formal and official.
Is a command always spoken?
Commands can be given verbally or in writing, depending on the context.
How are decrees published?
Decrees are often published in official journals or government websites to ensure public awareness.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
