commandeer

verb

ˌkä-mən-ˈdir How to pronounce commandeer (audio)
Definition of commandeernext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of commandeer The concept is based upon unfussy Italian cooking with local ingredients, commandeered by a chef whose background is in looking after Italy’s most prestigious families, rather than restaurants. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Since last year, when the RSF overran parts of Darfur and Kordofan, the militia has commandeered the gum trade, integrating it into its smuggling empire and further starving government coffers. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 The police had established barriers for the zone earlier in the afternoon, which rioters commandeered to fight back against police. — Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026 If squirrels have commandeered your bird feeder, take it down for a few days. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
  1. hijack
  2. seize
  3. confiscate
  4. usurp
  5. steal
  6. convert
  7. grab
  8. occupy
Verb
  • Cox was a high-profile supporter of the campaign to stay in the European Union and to keep the debate from being hijacked by immigration.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • A number of digital technologies have hijacked attention and made focused reading all but impossible.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of hijack
Verb
  • Arthur Kaluma seized his Summer League moment in Las Vegas, scoring 34 points in the Lakers’ 91-70 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • And some have responded by seizing the female obsession with looks, already rooted in misogyny, and rebranding it with maximum toxicity—in other words, by becoming looksmaxxers.
    — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • The agent confiscated the letter, carried by Cuban businessman Roberto Carlos Chamizo, and sent him back to Havana.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Drone operators who violate the temporary flight restrictions could face fines of up to $100,000, have their equipment confiscated, and potentially face criminal charges, the FBI said.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • The update indicated that Maersk is set to fall behind CMA CGM for second-largest container shipping capacity worldwide by July 2027, while Hapag-Lloyd could be usurped by Ocean Network Express (ONE) in February 2028.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
  • Beulah's spurned heir Joaquin (Juan Pablo Raba) calls up the mysterious Mariana (Raoul Max Trujillo) to help with his many problems, which include his ranch-usurping half-brother Rob-Will and those Duttons from Montana.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of usurp
Verb
  • Police arrested more than 400 people after a melee in which businesses were smashed and goods stolen, and fireworks were dispatched in crowds.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • However, when her island's resources are threatened, Moana embraces her ancestors' voyaging heritage and heads out to sea to find Maui, deliver the heart of Te Fiti (which Maui stole back in the day) and save her people.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 July 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Argentina triumphed on penalties in 1998, after David Beckham was sent off, and England won via a penalty in 2002, when Beckham went some way to atoning for what happened four years earlier by converting from the spot.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Switzerland has done an admirable job trying to give itself chances but has struggled to convert them.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
Definition of convert
Verb
  • With the back tyre in the water, grab the front brake and stand up off the bike.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
  • Ethiopian content creator Kalu Putik has grabbed the attention of the fashion world with his outfits made from old clothes, shoes, and garbage scraps.
    — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • In living organs, however, different cell types must occupy very specific positions.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
  • Blu Pointe Prime Steak & Seafood and Mercato Italian Kitchen, two separate restaurants, will occupy the former CVS space at 978 Farmington Ave.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
Definition of occupy

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commanded
commandeer
commandeered
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Cite this Entry

“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of commandeer for Spanish Speakers

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