1
as in to hijack
to take control of (a vehicle) by force
an airliner commandeered by terrorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
commandeered all of the equipment, as if the chem lab belonged solely to him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commandeer
His obsession with the numbers results in Thiel turning South Park into a surveillance state and commandeering all the students’ data to compile a list of cultists.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
There is a First World War U-boat that somehow glides from underneath Lake Michigan all the way to Croatia, commandeered by its captain, post-Armistice, for new and clandestine uses.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Now, Samsung is commandeering some of the screens already set up in homes to display ads.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
After the war, the Allies commandeered Volkswagen production and got the show back on the road in 1945.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
There is a First World War U-boat that somehow glides from underneath Lake Michigan all the way to Croatia, commandeered by its captain, post-Armistice, for new and clandestine uses.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Now, Samsung is commandeering some of the screens already set up in homes to display ads.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
After the war, the Allies commandeered Volkswagen production and got the show back on the road in 1945.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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Supporters of these reforms say zoning laws have been hijacked by NIMBYs, and control should be shifted away from local leaders to cities and states.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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Furthermore, viruses exploit these interactions by hijacking host proteins to replicate during infection.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What’s more, after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Czechs who had their property seized by the state were allowed to reclaim much of it through a restitution system – but not ethnic Germans who lost it under the post-war Benes decrees.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
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As my daughter’s face paled, and a man in a clown mask stalked the aisles, panic seized my limbs.—
Christa Carmen,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The property of citizens has been confiscated, there are floggings, and attacks.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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The city also can seize and confiscate any e-bike operated in violation of the ordinance’s provisions.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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No Blue Jay has usurped Carter in that category this October.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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Proposition 50 isn’t an offensive move to usurp power.—
Daniel Borenstein,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Helm topples trees, uproots crops, overturns feed stacks, steals loose blankets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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French officials and the Louvre Museum have come under international fire in the days and weeks after the heist for security insufficiencies that allowed thieves to steal priceless artifacts in broad daylight.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Honeywell notes that this two-stage approach helps solve long-standing challenges of converting biocrudes into fuels with performance characteristics comparable to conventional fossil fuels.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Oct. 2025
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The 12-acre property has already been converted into an eco-friendly compound with nine self-sufficient apartments plus a primary residence.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The woman’s mother then reportedly grabbed Crouch to keep him away from her daughter, causing Crouch to allegedly begin attacking the victim, the affidavit said.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Again, hopefully, Foxx was able to relax a little, grab some rays and just breathe.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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African American and English Studies scholar Kameelah Martin points out that these beliefs were reinforced at the turn of the 20th century, when the United States occupied Haiti (1915-1934).—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
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And so, the species that occupy the various environmental niches will likewise have to oscillate.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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