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
But renewable technology, coupled with electrification, is ready for prime time and has now commandeered a starring role.
—
Kathleen Biggins, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t going to allow New York’s celebrity row to commandeer their Rocket Arena courtside seats in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 26 May 2026
During the Brooks-Baxter War, the club's quarters were commandeered by armed guards of the Joseph Brooks faction, who locked the members out and then used the facility as a military hospital.
—Arkansas Online, 23 May 2026
Antwaun Sargent commandeered the Gagosian booth, which has a pleasantly group show-y feel, with a nice moment featuring a Theaster Gates sculpture flanked by a Stanley Whitney painting and a Tyler Mitchell photograph.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Kathleen Biggins, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t going to allow New York’s celebrity row to commandeer their Rocket Arena courtside seats in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 26 May 2026
During the Brooks-Baxter War, the club's quarters were commandeered by armed guards of the Joseph Brooks faction, who locked the members out and then used the facility as a military hospital.
—Arkansas Online, 23 May 2026
Antwaun Sargent commandeered the Gagosian booth, which has a pleasantly group show-y feel, with a nice moment featuring a Theaster Gates sculpture flanked by a Stanley Whitney painting and a Tyler Mitchell photograph.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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And when Khomeini broke that promise, my father was one of the first to stand up to him and the extremists who hijacked that revolution.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
2 June 2026
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Washington armed the trade ship with a few cannons, manned her with fishermen and sent her out to hijack British supply ships to help his army win the siege of Boston.—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Sukhmati described how her comrades would raid police stations to steal weapons.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Tovar also stole home in the fourth inning.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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Rollins sneakily grabbed the title and put it near his abdomen.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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While occupying the catwalk, contestants were allowed three ten-minute breaks and a twenty-minute shower each day.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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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 5 Jun. 2026.
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