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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commandeer
Thou shalt feel free to commandeer any assembly or conversation to that end.
—
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
And such fatal bargains are all over the work of the filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, who directed RoboCop and Starship Troopers, movies in which the bodies and souls of regular people are commandeered for the benefit of the powerful.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
Donald Trump, without consulting with California’s law enforcement leaders, commandeered 2,000 of our state’s National Guard members to deploy on our streets.
Illegally, and for no reason.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
Planning to open the 1,000-bed facility within days, state law enforcement officials commandeered the environmentally sensitive land, owned by Miami-Dade County, and began ushering in trucks carrying portable restrooms and industrial generators.
—Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
And such fatal bargains are all over the work of the filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, who directed RoboCop and Starship Troopers, movies in which the bodies and souls of regular people are commandeered for the benefit of the powerful.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
Donald Trump, without consulting with California’s law enforcement leaders, commandeered 2,000 of our state’s National Guard members to deploy on our streets.
Illegally, and for no reason.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
Planning to open the 1,000-bed facility within days, state law enforcement officials commandeered the environmentally sensitive land, owned by Miami-Dade County, and began ushering in trucks carrying portable restrooms and industrial generators.
—Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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But among the most surprising of the research team’s findings were nine new proteins tied to photosynthesis, suggesting these viruses are capable of hijacking their host’s ability to process energy.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 July 2025
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That film also saw the president's plane hijacked by dirty rotten commies (Gary Oldman this time instead of Nancy Stephens) and, just like with Pleasence, the President of the United States is ushered into an escape pod.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Investigators noted that one of the devices that was seized could not be examined because it was encrypted, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
22 July 2025
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Marino revealed to This American Life that during the early days of filming the reality show, Butler approached him about selling large amounts of marijuana that had been seized in drug raids by Wielsch.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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From 2022 through 2024, law enforcement officials in California confiscated 139,017 guns used in crimes with identifiable serial numbers, according to the DOJ’s crime guns report.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
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No charges have been pressed against Stone, but her family said her phone was confiscated.—
Joey Safchik,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Chinese leaders just haven’t marshaled the diplomatic and military muscle—still less the political will—to usurp America’s position as the world’s premier power.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
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Season 2, after all, found Demi attempting to usurp Taylor Frankie Paul as the face of MomTok, trying (and failing) to turn the other women against her.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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How An Ocean Apart is different: The rebellious main character is secretly competing to break his heart and steal his money.—
Rebecca Dazenbaker,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Police are investigating after suitcases containing hard drives with unreleased Beyoncé music were stolen from her team’s rental car ahead of her tour stop in Atlanta.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
15 July 2025
Verb
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And while consumer awareness is growing, education is still needed; overly complex terpene profiles can confuse rather than convert new buyers.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
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Through these innovations, the Sierra Energy has demonstrated a comprehensive, closed-loop solution for converting waste into clean energy and reusable materials—paving the way for a more sustainable future in both transportation and energy production.—
David Blekhman,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Order fish tacos or fresh salads at Bad Boy Burrito; grab at coffee at Cafe Moka; shop for clothing and gifts at Miss Monroe Boutique; and browse the open-air stalls at boo kee sue Botanics for handmade textiles, ceramics, and more.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
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To find your nearest 7-Eleven and grab a free Slurpee, search the store locator on 7-Eleven's website.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Founded in 2006, the center had previously occupied a single, tiny room on the University Union’s first floor.—
Calista Oetama,
Sacbee.com,
11 July 2025
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Interrogating the ways different myths occupy their own unique spaces establishes pathways into existences of literary immortality, offering prisms into the art of storytelling.—
Irenosen Okojie
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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