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
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
The mass grave by the University of Sudan, which was near a building the RSF commandeered as a detention center, likely contains thousands of corpses, al-Abidin said.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
As Afeef shared from Ras Beirut’s Public Secondary School, many of the displaced are sleeping in school buildings, which have been commandeered as emergency shelters for hundreds of people.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
In a hilarious video of the interaction, the former Memphis Grizzlies star — who had 25 points and three blocks in the game — stood stock still as Mandel commandeered the interview.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
The mass grave by the University of Sudan, which was near a building the RSF commandeered as a detention center, likely contains thousands of corpses, al-Abidin said.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
As Afeef shared from Ras Beirut’s Public Secondary School, many of the displaced are sleeping in school buildings, which have been commandeered as emergency shelters for hundreds of people.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
In a hilarious video of the interaction, the former Memphis Grizzlies star — who had 25 points and three blocks in the game — stood stock still as Mandel commandeered the interview.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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Minnesota's Target Center turned into a political stage Saturday night as the Minnesota Lynx home opener against the Atlanta Dream was hijacked by a fan shouting anti-ICE sentiments.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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Drivers in New York pay a $9 fee to drive into Manhattan to get mugged, have their cars hijacked, or both.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Photograph courtesy Jennifer Hulse Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the Six-Day War, in 1967.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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Bianco obtained three search warrants and began seizing ballots in February, despite being ordered by Attorney General Rob Bonta to pause the investigation.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Her family’s money was confiscated; her favorite uncle, Otto, was murdered by the Nazis; shrapnel lodged in Hepburn’s neck, giving it its beguiling tilt.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
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But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.—
Allen G. Breed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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In a sane world, Congress would put a stop to it and reassert its own power to regulate import duties; unfortunately, this particular GOP Congress seems content enough to be a lapdog watching Trump usurp them and damage the economy and our international standing.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
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That could impact the situation of Clarke, who outplayed Doughty and usurped his former position on the power play but logged fewer minutes at right defense just the same.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Bahia is also where breakfast is served each morning—watch out for the cheeky birds who will steal any of your unattended banana pancakes or breakfast burritos.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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The animatronic creation adorably stole the spotlight from the Mandalorian himself, Pedro Pascal, as well as other human collaborators like Sigourney Weaver (Colonel Ward) and director Jon Favreau (who managed to score a red carpet photo opportunity with the rising lime-green superstar).—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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This shift supports the current valuation premium as the company aims to convert its backlog into high-margin, recurring revenue.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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The former brew house equipment area has now been converted into additional seating, adding roughly 40 seats to the dining room.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Executives said the focus this year has been on grabbing the biggest audiences and on how artificial intelligence is improving data and outcomes.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
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Reid played a big role in the season-saving quarter as well, scoring six points, grabbing three boards and picking up two assists, including a no-look dish to Gobert for a dunk with three minutes to play.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The hotel sits within the historic First Residence building complex, which occupies a stretch of riverfront land next to the Giza Zoo.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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Meanwhile, the charming house with a small brook off to the side, stands waiting to be occupied with some, but not a lot, of work required.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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