commandeer
verb
Did you know?
Military forces have always had the power to commandeer houses. The Declaration of Independence complains about the way the British soldiers have done it, and the third Amendment to the Constitution states that the commandeering of people's houses shall be done only in a way prescribed by law. Almost anything—food, supplies, livestock, etc.—can be militarily commandeered when the need arises. But you don't have to be in the military for someone to "pull rank" on you: Your father may commandeer the car just when you were about to take it out for the evening, your teacher may commandeer your cell phone as you're texting in the middle of class, or your older sister may commandeer the TV remote to watch some lousy dancing competition.
Synonyms of commandeer
Examples of commandeer in a Sentence
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Since last year, when the RSF overran parts of Darfur and Kordofan, the militia has commandeered the gum trade, integrating it into its smuggling empire and further starving government coffers.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The police had established barriers for the zone earlier in the afternoon, which rioters commandeered to fight back against police.
—Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
If squirrels have commandeered your bird feeder, take it down for a few days.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commandeer. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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commandeer
verb
