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
But renewable technology, coupled with electrification, is ready for prime time and has now commandeered a starring role.
—
Kathleen Biggins, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t going to allow New York’s celebrity row to commandeer their Rocket Arena courtside seats in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 26 May 2026
During the Brooks-Baxter War, the club's quarters were commandeered by armed guards of the Joseph Brooks faction, who locked the members out and then used the facility as a military hospital.
—Arkansas Online, 23 May 2026
Antwaun Sargent commandeered the Gagosian booth, which has a pleasantly group show-y feel, with a nice moment featuring a Theaster Gates sculpture flanked by a Stanley Whitney painting and a Tyler Mitchell photograph.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Kathleen Biggins, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t going to allow New York’s celebrity row to commandeer their Rocket Arena courtside seats in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 26 May 2026
During the Brooks-Baxter War, the club's quarters were commandeered by armed guards of the Joseph Brooks faction, who locked the members out and then used the facility as a military hospital.
—Arkansas Online, 23 May 2026
Antwaun Sargent commandeered the Gagosian booth, which has a pleasantly group show-y feel, with a nice moment featuring a Theaster Gates sculpture flanked by a Stanley Whitney painting and a Tyler Mitchell photograph.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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The irresponsible development and use of AI have allowed these to be hijacked and distorted, turning them into agents of harm.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
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Incensed at the tournament being hijacked by a Bible basher, some fans called for its cancelation.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The Spurs made 14 3-pointers, a Finals record for one half, to seize control of this game in a stunning display of shot-making and poise.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
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The Scarborough Shoal, known in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc and in China as Huangyan Dao, sits within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, but Beijing has maintained a near-constant presence around the shoal after seizing de facto control in a tense 2012 standoff.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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In one scene, some Mexicans confiscate the brothers’ documents and take their horses.—
Rachel Ashcroft
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
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An Israeli strike hit a street in central Gaza on Thursday where witnesses said a crowd was getting bags of flour from a Palestinian police unit that had confiscated the goods from gangs looting aid convoys.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Verb
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That role cannot be usurped by the Executive Branch or diffused elsewhere—whether in this case or in another case, whether in times of heightened national need or not.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
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In its court filings Friday, the administration contended that the judge had usurped both legislative and executive authority.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Maduro stole the election and unleashed brutal repression.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Dec. 2025
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Sophi Balerdi tried to steal Steven’s Block-a-Vote advantage at Tribal Council, but because Steven had already activated it back at camp, Sophie was left embarrassed and empty-handed while Steven appeared to hold all the cards, especially when Rizo Velocic decided to not play his immunity idol.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Erin Mackaman, a 27-year-old who recently converted to a Luddite-lite lifestyle, is another CD devotee.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
11 Dec. 2025
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The university can choose to convert the cash into a larger product allotment at a $1-to-$3 ratio.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Grant asks Chris about the boxing gloves now for sale in the night store, but Katie forestalls him by running over and grabbing them, nearly flattening Chris.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
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Demonstrators grabbed bricks from the ground to throw at police, as tear gas was deployed in Geneva's streets, witnesses told Reuters.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Fahed Rahal said soccer occupies a unique place within Algerian culture, serving as a source of identity and connection across generations.—
J.M. Banks
June 15,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
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Siebel Newsom, 51, has occupied a higher profile position compared to spouses of other state leaders.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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