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
-
The second of the two nights of takeovers centered around a parking lot where vehicles did burnouts and doughnuts and fireworks were set off as crowds watched, police said.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
-
On an average basis, the gap between PSG’s salary costs and those of other Ligue 1 clubs has widened from €31.8m in the season before QSI’s takeover to €587.6m in 2023-24.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
15 June 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
-
Newport police declined to provide more information about the seizure.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
20 June 2025
-
The seizures allowed the receiver to return some assets to clients.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Critics have complained that the maneuver was a way for the council to work around a charter requirement that requires appropriations of more than 1.5% of the budget to be a separate referendum question.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2025
-
Olivia Heller/The Hustle Viewers accused her of everything from overconsumption to hoarding to appropriation.—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
20 June 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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