1
as in hijacked
to take control of (a vehicle) by force
an airliner commandeered by terrorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in seized
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 commandeered
The event was so popular that the crowd spilled into the place next door, and in a restaurant called Amber, the sound system was commandeered.
—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
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
But renewable technology, coupled with electrification, is ready for prime time and has now commandeered a starring role.
—
Kathleen Biggins,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
During the Brooks-Baxter War, the club's quarters were commandeered by armed guards of the Joseph Brooks faction, who locked the members out and then used the facility as a military hospital.
—
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2026
Antwaun Sargent commandeered the Gagosian booth, which has a pleasantly group show-y feel, with a nice moment featuring a Theaster Gates sculpture flanked by a Stanley Whitney painting and a Tyler Mitchell photograph.
—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
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
But renewable technology, coupled with electrification, is ready for prime time and has now commandeered a starring role.
—
Kathleen Biggins,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
During the Brooks-Baxter War, the club's quarters were commandeered by armed guards of the Joseph Brooks faction, who locked the members out and then used the facility as a military hospital.
—
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2026
Antwaun Sargent commandeered the Gagosian booth, which has a pleasantly group show-y feel, with a nice moment featuring a Theaster Gates sculpture flanked by a Stanley Whitney painting and a Tyler Mitchell photograph.
—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeered
Verb
-
Each protects the others from being hijacked.
-
America250’s state partner, Pennsylvania 250, the mayor told me, had been similarly hijacked by Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration.
Verb
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Merchandise including counterfeit perfumes, Rolex watches, knockoff Knicks apparel, sunglasses, electronics and Labubus were seized, in addition to $145,000 in cash, police said.
-
Barely six months ago, US special forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas in a daring and deadly raid.
Verb
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In Dallas, the FBI recently announced agents confiscated four drones that allegedly violated Temporary Flight Restrictions over AT&T Stadium and the city's FIFA Fan Festival.
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The majority found that the cruise lines were trafficking in property confiscated from the American owner of a docks company decades earlier.
Verb
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As bananas ripen, much of that resistant starch is converted into natural sugars.
-
Should his contract be converted to a standard one mid-season, the Pacers could still ink him to a rookie minimum deal and get the benefits of the lower salary that the second-round provides.
Verb
-
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in March upheld a complaint by Ukraine that Russia’s chess federation had usurped control of the game in areas of Ukraine captured by the Russian military.
-
James Purefoy plays King Randor, He-Man’s father and the previous ruler of Eternia who was usurped by Skeletor.
Verb
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When Kennedy approached the rider and grabbed the handlebars to check whether the bike was registered, the rider refused to get off and allegedly tried to pull away.
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Maura Higgins, breakout star of The Traitors, grabbed her best tennis whites to ace the style assignment at Wimbledon 2026.
Verb
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But the location of his grave was lost once British troops retook the city in late 1778 and occupied it through the war’s end, camping in the cemetery.
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Dying was such a momentous thing to do, and while Matthew, their dear friend, their cousin-brother, had been off doing it, the women had occupied themselves with such frivolities as cleaning and heat.
Verb
-
Joshua Serad, of Maple Shade, stole and damaged Pride flags Monday in the business district of Haddonfield on Kings Highway, according to police.
-
Fudd followed with a go-ahead layup that put Dallas up 111-110 before Jessica Shepard stole the ball, and Aziaha James capped the scoring with a free throw to end it.
Cite this Entry
“Commandeered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeered. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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