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
Martine turns out to have some troubling associates, who first make themselves at home in the household and then commandeer it.
—
Adelle Waldman, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Schwarzenegger commandeered the stage with then-wife Maria Shriver to thank the crowds for the stellar turnout.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
Not even the closets are safe from being commandeered as exhibit space for the Chicago Collective.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
The washer and dryer were commandeered as beer coolers and Melanie’s special mix tape was blasting over the house stereo.
—Dustin Timbrook, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Adelle Waldman, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Schwarzenegger commandeered the stage with then-wife Maria Shriver to thank the crowds for the stellar turnout.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
Not even the closets are safe from being commandeered as exhibit space for the Chicago Collective.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
The washer and dryer were commandeered as beer coolers and Melanie’s special mix tape was blasting over the house stereo.
—Dustin Timbrook, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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The Republican Party, as an institution, weakened over time, until it could be hijacked by an aspiring dictator.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
23 Feb. 2026
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Even so, it has been suggested that the plane was hijacked and flown to Russia, or the US airbase on the island of Diego Garcia; others have said it could have been shot down.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the nineteenth century, travel to remote frontiers beyond the reach of telegraph had insulated Britain’s men on the spot from London’s authority, conceding them the freedom to seize new territory.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
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The union representing patrol officers quickly seized on the incident as evidence that respect for officers has declined under the new mayor.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Of the 700 firearms confiscated in crimes in Erie since 2023, Lorah estimated 70% were probably involved in the drug trade.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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The task force aims to confiscate firearms from criminals, mentally ill individuals and suicidal individuals.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Meridian Empire sets out to usurp wealthy colonies and crush the pirate republic, Cat is faced with an ultimatum – turn in the fearsome Valerian Kane, the only man she’s ever loved and the biggest threat to the Empire, or die.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
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And by the time American Jack Hughes scored the overtime winner to seal Team USA’s 2-1 win and first men’s hockey gold since the Miracle on Ice in 1980, any morning grumblings were usurped by a surge of coast-to-coast jubilation.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last Tuesday, thieves stole more than $80,000 of Pokémon cards from Do-We Collectibles in Anaheim — the second time the store has been targeted.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Two days later, authorities found the van, a 1978 Chevy stolen from Dayton, Ohio, abandoned at a truck stop in Franklin, Tenn.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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White checked all of those boxes and cemented himself as an obvious choice with a network of current donors, high-ranking business partners in Charlotte, as well as potential donors that Gaber hopes to convert.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Social media converted it into shareable outrage.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Headline-grabbing cases of apparent fraud at companies like Carriox (which allegedly misled its private-credit lenders) and auto lender Tricolor (where banks got hoodwinked) show there’s plenty of blame to go around.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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The sophomore guard has grabbed the reins for the Red Raiders in Toppin’s absence and was named the Big 12 Conference’s Player of the Week on Monday.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Vij, who is currently a vice president at Brooklyn nonprofit Powerhouse Arts, is the first person of Southeast Asian descent to occupy the role.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
2 Mar. 2026
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The assessment determined that the building was not in danger of imminent collapse and residents on Clay Street were told their homes were safe to occupy.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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