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
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Recent Examples of commandeered
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
Magyar commandeered a political party called Tisza.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The platform was taken offline on Thursday after hackers commandeered it to display a ransom message threatening to leak sensitive information from 275 million users across about 8,800 universities that rely on Canvas.
—Matthew Kelly
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Based on a viral short film, the movie features Martin Freeman and Susie Porter as a couple who have commandeered a houseboat to evade hordes of rapacious undead.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
After being commandeered into a hospital during World War I, the hotel was purchased in 1957 by Jeanne Augier, who restored the property’s former glory—and then some.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
The mass grave by the University of Sudan, which was near a building the RSF commandeered as a detention center, likely contains thousands of corpses, al-Abidin said.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
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
Magyar commandeered a political party called Tisza.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The platform was taken offline on Thursday after hackers commandeered it to display a ransom message threatening to leak sensitive information from 275 million users across about 8,800 universities that rely on Canvas.
—Matthew Kelly
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Based on a viral short film, the movie features Martin Freeman and Susie Porter as a couple who have commandeered a houseboat to evade hordes of rapacious undead.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
After being commandeered into a hospital during World War I, the hotel was purchased in 1957 by Jeanne Augier, who restored the property’s former glory—and then some.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
The mass grave by the University of Sudan, which was near a building the RSF commandeered as a detention center, likely contains thousands of corpses, al-Abidin said.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeered
Verb
-
Once again, we’re shown Blunt’s character being hijacked by aliens mid-weather report, uttering an alien language of clicks and pops.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2026
-
Worlds Apart got somewhat hijacked by an assault of offensive comments to and about women by some of the male characters.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Officers seized two firearms and one vehicle connected to the disturbance.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
-
In order to recover as much money from the scheme as possible, prosecutors have determined that these assets must be seized as quickly as possible.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Verb
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These are guaranteed to get your bag flagged, and depending on the TSA agent on duty, may ultimately be confiscated.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
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Police confiscated a Glock handgun along with several weapons and ammunition uncovered in the boy’s backpack.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Alina Puri scored in regulation for the Griffins (14-4-1), while Benedictine recruit Emma Lukin and Belmont commit Ava Feigl converted in the shootout.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Capital Southwest recently converted its payout system from quarterly to monthly distributions.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Though its glam environs were eventually usurped by Hawaii’s many newer luxury resorts, an extensive renovation in 2008 gave the Mauna Kea an update without sacrificing its throwback charm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2026
-
After opting against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan last summer, Chelsea have stuck with Robert Sanchez as No 1 — bar a brief spell where Filip Jorgensen usurped him in March.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
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In the final two minutes, Salaün grabbed two crucial rebounds, hit two free throws, and knocked down a clutch jumper that gave Golden State a 87-84 lead.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Howard added 22 points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds, and Miles added 16 points and eight assists.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
28 May 2026
Verb
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If the Wizards are much more competitive in the season ahead, as expected, more lower-bowl seats should be occupied.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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The bar, in space once occupied by Edible Arrangements at mid-block, will offer low-cost beer and drinks — in the tradition of a hip, dive bar — plus a limited menu of food.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Bogaerts stole second base on the first pitch to Sheets, but two pitches later the inning was over on Nola’s fifth strikeout of the night.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
On cue, Tomas reached base on a bunt single off Stevenson senior pitcher Ava Potempa, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored the tying run on senior pitcher Shae Johnson‘s single.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeered. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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