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
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.
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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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Tired of living in Cinderella’s shadow, Lilith steals the Fairy Godmother’s (Bette Midler) magic wand and hijacks the Royal Ball with her sister, Margot (Stephanie Hsu).
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Each protects the others from being hijacked.
Verb
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Hilton, running on a platform of affordability and lowering taxes, has seized on the sentiment, casting health coverage for immigrants without legal status as deeply unfair and a direct threat to the state’s ability to help citizens.
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So far this year, 17 tons of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized in the Pacific region – more than three times the total across the whole of last year, according to the Australian Federal Police.
Verb
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In Dallas, the FBI recently announced agents confiscated four drones that allegedly violated Temporary Flight Restrictions over AT&T Stadium and the city's FIFA Fan Festival.
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Amid anecdotal reports that airport security services have been confiscating bottles of ranch dressing that sports tourists have tried to smuggle out of the country, Kraft Heinz came up with a TSA-friendly size of ranch dressing.
Verb
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However, the German has — 12 years after claiming the record from the Brazilian Ronaldo with his 16th World Cup goal — been usurped by Messi and, like so many before him, will have to settle for playing second fiddle to the 38-year-old Argentinian.
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in March upheld a complaint by Ukraine that Russia’s chess federation had usurped control of the game in areas of Ukraine captured by the Russian military.
Verb
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The News, The Times and affiliated outlets in Tribune Publishing and MediaNews Group, along with other outlets, are suing OpenAI for allegedly stealing the work of journalists.
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In the video, the man and woman can be seen alleging the family stole their money and emphasizing they aren't wanted in the community.
Verb
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Norway’s Jørgen Strand Larsen couldn’t convert a penalty kick after a very slow and hesitant run-up.
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When families contribute the $5,000 maximum per year allowed (which will increase in 2008 because of inflation adjustment), the value of the account could easily exceed $3 million by age 59 1/2 if the account is converted to a Roth IRA after the beneficiary reaches age 24.
Verb
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There is an art to cutting a cantaloupe, which starts long before grabbing the knife and cutting board.
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Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.
Verb
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The cabana frame was lifted by strong winds before crashing into an area occupied by guests near the resort's pool deck.
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Law enforcement also linked Sanchez-Munoz to a June 11 shooting in which a vehicle occupied by an adult and a child was hit by gunfire in the area of Seventh Street and Metropolitan Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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