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

Yet these tiny, vulnerable creatures somehow commandeer the lives of adults many times their size and strength. — Dana Suskind, Time, 14 July 2026

The Loa River was commandeered in its entirety, source to mouth. — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026

Both the Russian and Chinese governments have been compromising routers for years, sometimes in prolonged tugs-of-war to wrest control of devices the other has already commandeered. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026

As the actor who originated the role, Johnson fares a bit better as Maui, smirking and preening and repeatedly tossing Moana off her own boat in attempts to commandeer it for himself. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 July 2026