1
as in to hijack
to take control of (a vehicle) by force
an airliner commandeered by terrorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of commandeer
The platform was taken offline on Thursday after hackers commandeered it to display a ransom message threatening to leak sensitive information from 275 million users across about 8,800 universities that rely on Canvas.
—
Matthew Kelly
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Based on a viral short film, the movie features Martin Freeman and Susie Porter as a couple who have commandeered a houseboat to evade hordes of rapacious undead.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Imagine, then, commandeering a private plane for the ultimate two-week adventure entirely on your own terms.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
After being commandeered into a hospital during World War I, the hotel was purchased in 1957 by Jeanne Augier, who restored the property’s former glory—and then some.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Matthew Kelly
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Based on a viral short film, the movie features Martin Freeman and Susie Porter as a couple who have commandeered a houseboat to evade hordes of rapacious undead.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Imagine, then, commandeering a private plane for the ultimate two-week adventure entirely on your own terms.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
After being commandeered into a hospital during World War I, the hotel was purchased in 1957 by Jeanne Augier, who restored the property’s former glory—and then some.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
-
Worlds Apart got somewhat hijacked by an assault of offensive comments to and about women by some of the male characters.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
-
Malicious versions of the package were briefly distributed through the npm registry after a maintainer account was hijacked.—
Aqsa Taylor,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force then seized evidence and opened an investigation, the attorney general's office said.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
The region’s main airport in Goma, which doubles as a staging ground for humanitarian efforts into the region, has been closed since January 2025, when M23 seized the city.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Fighting is also driving ongoing displacements and deaths in the nearby Artibonite region where on Wednesday police destroyed the home of the head of the Kokorat San Ras gang and confiscated several weapons.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
-
After all, having property confiscated should mean that a later settlement is effectively paying you for your property.—
Robert W. Wood,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Though its glam environs were eventually usurped by Hawaii’s many newer luxury resorts, an extensive renovation in 2008 gave the Mauna Kea an update without sacrificing its throwback charm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2026
-
After opting against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan last summer, Chelsea have stuck with Robert Sanchez as No 1 — bar a brief spell where Filip Jorgensen usurped him in March.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Sukhmati described how her comrades would raid police stations to steal weapons.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Tovar also stole home in the fourth inning.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
In a July 2015 memorandum, the county suggested purchasing a lot near the Bethel House to be converted into a parking lot, then give it to the Bethel House upon completion.—
Delia Rose Sauer,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
-
In early January, Chan and five other quantum chemists based out of the California Institute of Technology reached a key milestone in understanding the enzyme nitrogenase, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and makes life on our planet possible.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Stop here for suggestions on the best nearby dog-friendly parks for your pup, to pick up breakfast vouchers, and to grab a list of participating local businesses that offer discounts to Hotel Lucia guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Rollins sneakily grabbed the title and put it near his abdomen.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
While occupying the catwalk, contestants were allowed three ten-minute breaks and a twenty-minute shower each day.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
The hotel occupies 12 floors of a 42-story tower, offering 277 guest rooms and suites along with 15,000 square feet of event space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
