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
The platform was taken offline on Thursday after hackers commandeered it to display a ransom message threatening to leak sensitive information from 275 million users across about 8,800 universities that rely on Canvas.
—
Matthew Kelly
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Based on a viral short film, the movie features Martin Freeman and Susie Porter as a couple who have commandeered a houseboat to evade hordes of rapacious undead.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Imagine, then, commandeering a private plane for the ultimate two-week adventure entirely on your own terms.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Matthew Kelly
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Based on a viral short film, the movie features Martin Freeman and Susie Porter as a couple who have commandeered a houseboat to evade hordes of rapacious undead.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Imagine, then, commandeering a private plane for the ultimate two-week adventure entirely on your own terms.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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Worlds Apart got somewhat hijacked by an assault of offensive comments to and about women by some of the male characters.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
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Malicious versions of the package were briefly distributed through the npm registry after a maintainer account was hijacked.—
Aqsa Taylor,
Forbes.com,
20 May 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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Next to it was marijuana wrapped in cellophane stained with peanut butter — items that were confiscated at San José Mineta International Airport.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
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Bikini bottoms would be full coverage only; thongs were added to a list of contraband items that included alcohol and nonprescription drugs, which were confiscated from Islanders’ suitcases on arrival.—
Anna Peele,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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The seven-time world champion passed Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in the closing laps to grab second place and secure his 204th career podium finish.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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Sophia said the event was just as exciting and fun as last year for her and her son — who, while searching for planes in the sky, excitedly grabbed her face and reminded her that the watermelons and lemonade were just as amazing as the planes.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Set the scene The Kimpton Monaco occupies an entire city block in DC’s Penn Quarter, directly across from the National Portrait Gallery and within easy walking distance of the National Mall, Capital One Arena, Chinatown, and other attractions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
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The company says its selection approach is driven by performance data, with every title required to show active audience traction rather than simply occupying catalog space.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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