Commanding, a.
1. Exercising authority; actually in command; as, a commanding officer.
2. Fitted to impress or control; as, a commanding look or presence.
3. Exalted; overlooking; having superior strategic advantages; as, a commanding position.
Syn. -- Authoritative; imperative; imperious.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for commanding; he lists it under absolute.
Where he writes about it:
Commanding is always used in a good sense; as, a commanding appearance; a commanding eminence. — from absolute
Command is, however, often used in the sense of securing, as well as requiring, submission or obedience, as when we speak of a commanding influence; a man commands the situation when he can shape events as he pleases; a fortress commands the region when no enemy can pass against its resistance. — from govern