Synonyms of commandeer

commandeer

verb

ˌkä-mən-ˈdir 

1

as in to hijack

to take control of (a vehicle) by force

an airliner commandeered by terrorists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hijack
• confiscate
• seize
• carjack
• appropriate
• expropriate
• skyjack

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

• seize
• confiscate
• usurp
• steal
• convert
• grab
• occupy
• invade
• preempt
• arrogate
• claim
• appropriate
• assume
• expropriate
• pirate
• annex
• take over
• snatch
• attach
• repossess
• impound
• press
• loot
• pillage
• despoil
• wrest
• encroach
• grasp
• infringe
• embezzle
• sequester
• trespass
• preoccupy
• wrench
• misappropriate
• misuse
• misapply
• collar
• peculate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of commandeer

Or commandeering a military system or nuclear power plant in pursuit of its paper clip goal. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

In the course of three weeks, Israeli soldiers destroyed much of the area, razing schools and mosques and commandeering buildings for use as military posts. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Curious Londoners stopped to figure out why a marching band, a blue bird and a few hundred Americans had suddenly commandeered a stretch of Oxford Street. — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

Inside the farmhouse, the kitchen speaker has been entirely commandeered by cast members Earl Cave and Conrad Khan. — Riann Phillip, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026