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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To stage the season-three premiere of the series formerly known as Interview With the Vampire — now, in character-appropriate fashion, hijacked and renamed The Vampire Lestat — AMC turned the screening into a tour stop for the character played by Sam Reid.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Aemond was named Prince Regent in the aftermath, and seized control of the Iron Throne while Aegon recovered.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Federal customs officials at Washington Dulles Airport seized 139 pounds of Ethiopian khat, a plant chewed for its amphetamine-like effect, that was destined for Sacramento.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Abu Safiya also had his eyeglasses confiscated during his detainment and since been experiencing vision issues, according to Abbas.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
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The prisoners were at one point given life jackets, but they were later confiscated after guards found them being used as pillows, the court document said.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Verb
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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.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
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The two are separate, Bourne writes, even if, in war, the state tries to usurp the country and speak for it.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Bald eagle are also known to scavenge for food and carrion, even stealing from other hunting birds mid-flight.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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The show was canceled that year, after Mencia was accused of stealing material from other comedians.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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McTominay, whose iconic bicycle kick against Denmark was the defining goal of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, threatened multiple times past the 80th minute but couldn’t convert.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
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That has put a focus on Iran’s stockpile of uranium and its program to convert this naturally occurring element into material that can sustain a nuclear reaction — a process called enrichment.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
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There is an art to cutting a cantaloupe, which starts long before grabbing the knife and cutting board.—
Alexandra Frost,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
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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.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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