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
The crux of the coalition’s argument is that the immigration operation in Minnesota constitutes a violation of the Tenth Amendment, which protects the sovereignty of states and bars the federal government from commandeering state and local resources for federal purposes.
—
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The suspect tried to commandeer the police vehicle, but gave up, according to the source.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The suspect tried to commandeer the police vehicle, but gave up, according to the source.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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Officers Rodolfo Mirabal, Richard Santiesteban, and Leslie Lee are facing charges in connection with the December 5, 2019 incident, which began after two assailants hijacked a UPS truck during a Coral Gables jewelry heist.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
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Companies hijack your nervous system’s autonomic stress responses.—
Christopher Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Iran seizes 2 ships on smuggling claims DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Leavitt turns the tables on media outrage as FBI seizes Fulton election documents.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lamia Rubia, 27, said all of her belongings were searched, and many items were confiscated.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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The final straw came about two weeks ago, when the bar's doorman confiscated a fake ID featuring the face of Benjamin Franklin — complete with a fictional home address on Market Street.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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New deals this season will boost already booming commercial income, not least a kit manufacturing agreement with Adidas that is expected to usurp the money brought in from the previous Nike deal.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His coverage of a man whose identity was stolen for more than 25 years caught the judge’s eye.—
Lucia Cheng,
Des Moines Register,
6 Feb. 2026
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Besides worries about spending by Big Tech companies, which are Wall Street's most influential stocks, concerns about AI potentially stealing customers from software companies also hurt the market.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While scientists have long observed this liquid-to-solid transformation, the exact molecular link that converts these fluid droplets into a high-performance final structure has remained a mystery until now.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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By converting up to two of those players, the Heat can create multiyear contracts with only minimum initial guarantees, affording team control beyond this season.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bottom-line mandate for the Bruins on Monday night was to grab two points against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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On January 13, in a win over the Chicago Bulls, Davison played 24 minutes, scoring 9 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.—
Rahat Huq,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The restaurant has occupied the space for decades, sits steps from the ski lifts in Vail Village, and is a local favorite for skiers, tourists and locals alike.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Bonhams occupies what’s defined as the mid-range market, mostly offering lots priced between $50,000 to $1 million, while the top three — Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips — court sellers and buyers at the vertiginous top end.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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