commandeering

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 arrogation, appropriation, detainer, expropriation, preemption, seizure, takeover, usurpationRelated Words annexation, assumption, attachment, confiscation, grab, impoundment, repossession, sequestration; defalcation, embezzlement, misapplication, misappropriation, misuse, peculation, theft; despoilment, looting, pillaging; encroachment, infringement, piracy; invasion, occupancy, occupation, preoccupancy, trespass; deforcement, disfurnishment, dispossession, ejection, stripping