commandeer

verb

ˌkä-mən-ˈdir How to pronounce commandeer (audio)
Definition of commandeernext
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

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 After some initial skepticism, The Onion received the families’ blessing to commandeer the once-conspiratorial brand known for spreading falsehoods about mass shootings and politics while promoting sales of questionable supplements and gold. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 Yet these tiny, vulnerable creatures somehow commandeer the lives of adults many times their size and strength. — Dana Suskind, Time, 14 July 2026 The Loa River was commandeered in its entirety, source to mouth. — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026 Both the Russian and Chinese governments have been compromising routers for years, sometimes in prolonged tugs-of-war to wrest control of devices the other has already commandeered. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
  1. hijack
  2. seize
  3. confiscate
  4. usurp
  5. steal
  6. convert
  7. grab
  8. occupy
Verb
  • Neither candidate is captive to the extremes that have hijacked so much of our national discourse.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • While Hollywood often depicts hackers remotely hijacking an entire vehicle, experts say modern attacks are more likely to target the broader ecosystem surrounding autonomous cars.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of hijack
Verb
  • Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Biggs, 67, has seized on the refusal, repeatedly challenging Hobbs to debate and making her absence itself part of his campaign message.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Hana reported that plainclothes agents confiscated phones and electronic equipment and that Seyedabdollahi was subsequently held in solitary confinement and at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence detention facility in Isfahan.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And confiscating them would be legally and diplomatically more complicated than simply freezing them.
    — Magdalena Del Valle, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • Colby opened camp on the first string but has been usurped the past week by veteran Rob Jones, whose violent streak showed up well in Tuesday’s action against the Titans.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • His story is one rife with terror, pain and a sweltering rage that has usurped everything around him.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of usurp
Verb
  • Winona decided not to replace their cameras after several were stolen.
    — Ashley Grams, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In February, a police officer pulled over a Chevrolet Tahoe based on a false positive by a Flock Safety license plate reader that reported the plate stolen.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Nashville then moved two goals clear in the 56th minute when Cristian Espinoza sent a pass across toward the near post and Surridge converted nonchalantly with a beautiful heel flick.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Construction is finally underway on the former Coca-Cola bottling plant on Stockton Boulevard, which will be converted into a 146-room Marriott Element hotel by early 2028, nearly a decade after Leeland Properties acquired the site.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of convert
Verb
  • Profanity also grabs attention since the shock value of an F-bomb can lead to more media coverage and clips circulating on social media.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Alice slowly gets Marshall to lie on the floor, grabs the bottle of whiskey, and pours it into his mouth with glee.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The craft were shot down over 16 Russian regions, occupied Crimea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The primary bedroom and bathroom occupies the top level as copious loft over the living room.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of occupy

Browse Nearby Words

commanded
commandeer
commandeered
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Cite this Entry

“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of commandeer for Spanish Speakers

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