as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
the Spanish navy's commandeering of fishing boats and impressment of fishermen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in hijacking
to take control of (a vehicle) by force
an airliner commandeered by terrorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in seizing
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 commandeering
Michael Franco, New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2024
She was accused of commandeering a car owned by a neighbor and former friend and then driving it into the woman, according to court papers.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Rita Ora once again returns as co-host alongside Seacrest, who’s marking his 20th year commandeering the holiday staple.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024
Companies got creative when shipping costs skyrocketed, placing orders directly with factories to cut out intermediaries or commandeering their own container ships and planes to ensure timely delivery.
—Shannon K. O'Neil, Foreign Affairs, 21 Dec. 2021
Verb
View 3 Images By commandeering smart thermostats and water heaters and sipping power from in-home EV chargers, virtual power plants are being formed across the country.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2024
She was accused of commandeering a car owned by a neighbor and former friend and then driving it into the woman, according to court papers.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Rita Ora once again returns as co-host alongside Seacrest, who’s marking his 20th year commandeering the holiday staple.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024
Companies got creative when shipping costs skyrocketed, placing orders directly with factories to cut out intermediaries or commandeering their own container ships and planes to ensure timely delivery.
—Shannon K. O'Neil, Foreign Affairs, 21 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeering
Noun
-
Trump deployed the National Guard and, under a provision of the Home Rule Act of 1973, issued a federal takeover of the MPD, placing it under Bondi’s control.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
This is unlike Audi, which concluded its takeover of the Sauber F1 team, and the results are already showing in Sauber's performance.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Pretending to be dead, Gi-hun and his friends launch a surprise attack, overpowering the guards and seizing their weapons, leaving only one guard alive.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
-
Individuals are seizing opportunities as well.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Impeachment is an inherently political act, as historians and legal scholars have long attested; Green takes the long view that measures like his build an engaged opposition capable of facing down what has thus far been an untrammeled seizure of executive power by the far right.—
Chris Lehmann,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The lawsuit was filed in July 2025, and the claims being brought forth are wrongful death, common law assault and battery, violation and deprivation of Harrell's civil rights and the Fourth Amendment's unreasonable seizure and excessive force use.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The House is expected to take up its version of the annual appropriations bill for education in early September.—
Michael Vasquez,
NPR,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The appropriations bill does not currently include any funding for the immigration proposal, which hasn't yet been filed.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Miley has taken a leaner approach the past few years, only grabbing one jersey and leaving the rest in his locker for the clubhouse workers to donate or disperse.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Knowing defensive back is a glaring need, especially with the release of Jack Jones, is trading back and grabbing someone like Jahdae Barron while acquiring another second-round pick worth considering?—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Unfortunately, mid-rehearsal, their mother, Rose (an absolutely magnificent McDonald), comes thundering onto the stage, usurping Jocko’s leadership and sucking up all of the air into the room.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
20 Dec. 2024
-
For instance, one of his first actions was to fund the Al-Jazeera Arabic satellite television station, allowing Qatar to set the agenda on TV screens from Casablanca to Cairo, usurping the role once played by state information ministries.—
Allen Fromherz / Made by History,
TIME,
30 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
Yes, Israel as an occupying power does not have that right to self-defense.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
-
City sit fourth in the WSL, seven points off Champions League qualification with Manchester United occupying third place.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commandeering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeering. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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