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
Republicans describe it as a way for liberals in northern Virginia to commandeer congressional districts in the rest of the state.
—
Meg Kinnard The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
After commandeering the offense with shot volume in recent games, Edwards played a real floor game to get his teammates involved.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Sonoma State commandeered the spotlight, announcing the discontinuation of its sports department due to a hefty $24 million budget deficit.
—Ryan Curry, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Mar. 2026
Families and friends pile into cardboard watercraft of their own construction to commandeer through a course that, most of the time, ends with sinking vessels.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Meg Kinnard The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
After commandeering the offense with shot volume in recent games, Edwards played a real floor game to get his teammates involved.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Sonoma State commandeered the spotlight, announcing the discontinuation of its sports department due to a hefty $24 million budget deficit.
—Ryan Curry, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Mar. 2026
Families and friends pile into cardboard watercraft of their own construction to commandeer through a course that, most of the time, ends with sinking vessels.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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Carl says, in a confessional, that the conversation didn’t go anywhere and Kyle just hijacked it by complaining about his life.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
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However, a hacker hijacked the account of Axios' lead developer and quietly introduced two malicious software versions on Monday night, according to cybersecurity vendor StepSecurity.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to the search warrant, investigators went through the home and reported seizing 13 blue capsule pills marked R3060.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
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Brendan Carr, the chairman of the FCC who is rarely shy on any media topic, seized on the issue of accessible sports rights in a post on X earlier this year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Borzou Arjmand, an Iranian actor living in California, found out from news reports that his assets in Iran had been confiscated.—
Amir Hussein Radjy,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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The sisters’ mother, Vesta Louis, told Politico this week that federal investigators raided both of their homes in simultaneous operations on March 23, confiscating their cellphones and other electronics.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s come just as the Edmonton Oilers have ripped off a season-best five straight victories to usurp the Ducks’ position atop the Pacific.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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One of the things that's gone really wrong in America is this gas station/convenience store/fast food restaurant that is usurping small town America.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As part of that rally, James Outman entered for Buxton off the bench and immediately stole a base, which manager Derek Shelton made a point to mention.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
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Police said suspects entered the building and stole multiple bottles of alcohol and money before fleeing.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pritchard dissected Milwaukee’s defense at all three levels during that flurry, converting two layups, two 3-pointers and one nine-foot fadeaway.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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Time and again, the Venezuelan opposition has converted popular fury into political momentum, only to watch Chavismo regroup, survive, and consolidate.—
Boris Muñoz,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mornings tend to revolve around Regatta Buffet, or, for something lighter and more grab-and-go, Café Madeleine or Bahama Bagel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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Feel daring, attention-grabbing and unapologetically you.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For a more exclusive experience, there’s also The Reserve, which offers a quieter, hotel-within-a-hotel experience that occupies the top floors of the East Tower and features a private VIP entrance, an expansive lounge, and upgraded amenities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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That’s roughly double what the women who occupy the second and third spots on that list have made.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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