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
Tim Fang, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
This is precisely the type of coercion and commandeering that violates the 10th Amendment.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
The crux of the coalition’s argument is that the immigration operation in Minnesota constitutes a violation of the Tenth Amendment, which protects the sovereignty of states and bars the federal government from commandeering state and local resources for federal purposes.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Jan. 2026
In that first game, Jokic was seen commandeering the whiteboard to draw up a play in a timeout.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
Another solution is to manipulate the game with your mind versus commandeering physically.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2025
That set off a flurry of diplomatic efforts among European leaders, outraged at the thought of the White House commandeering assets in their custody.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The bickering survivors of the Canterbury, led by reluctant captain Jim Holden (Steven Strait), become an unlikely band of freedom fighters/kingmakers after commandeering a Martian warship and rebranding it as the Rocinante (named after Don Quixote's horse).
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Dec. 2025
Verb
According to the board, the measure prohibits any entity from commandeering city property that disrupts the city's operations.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
This is precisely the type of coercion and commandeering that violates the 10th Amendment.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
The crux of the coalition’s argument is that the immigration operation in Minnesota constitutes a violation of the Tenth Amendment, which protects the sovereignty of states and bars the federal government from commandeering state and local resources for federal purposes.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Jan. 2026
In that first game, Jokic was seen commandeering the whiteboard to draw up a play in a timeout.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
Another solution is to manipulate the game with your mind versus commandeering physically.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2025
That set off a flurry of diplomatic efforts among European leaders, outraged at the thought of the White House commandeering assets in their custody.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The bickering survivors of the Canterbury, led by reluctant captain Jim Holden (Steven Strait), become an unlikely band of freedom fighters/kingmakers after commandeering a Martian warship and rebranding it as the Rocinante (named after Don Quixote's horse).
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeering
Noun
-
The filmmaker depicts the takeover of the Donbass region by Russian-speaking militias who entered into conflict with the Ukrainian army.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Her imminent takeover/makeover of an ancient celler (wine cellar restaurant) in Inca is sure to give fresh impetus to the big Balearic’s culinary reappraisal of itself.—
Paul Richardson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trump’s entire doctrine is naked rapacity, from Venezuela to hijacking the Kennedy Center to hideously remaking the White House in his own gaudy image.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Brooklyn Beckham also accused his mom of hijacking his first dance with Peltz at the wedding reception.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Virginia started the second half with a 12-3 run, seizing a 51-47 lead on Mallory’s long 3-pointer.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
-
In November 2022, FBI agents carried out a search and seizure warrant at Huntsman’s residence, seizing multiple items.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Product seizures, lost revenue, regulatory penalties, and broken retailer relationships await any apparel behemoth that doesn’t take supply chain due diligence seriously.—
Anna Triponel,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Allegations were sustained in six of those investigations, including neglect of duty, abuse of authority, profanity, and improper search and seizure, records show.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now the city wants more tools to expand its limited enforcement options, which would start with warnings, then fines and may include confiscating food, equipment and carts found in violation of city ordinance and health codes.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Video of the incident shows a CBP officer confiscating the handgun shortly before other agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.—
Paul Kiefer,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The attack comes amid an ongoing partial government shutdown that began after Democrats blocked appropriations for DHS over concerns with its immigration enforcement tactics.—
Dan Mangan,Leslie Josephs,Spencer Kimball,CJ Haddad,Justin Papp,Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
-
And yet the question of how all this money is to be spent is almost entirely absent from the current congressional-appropriations debate.—
Garrett M. Graff,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Since first taking place in the 1940s, cloud seeding experiments have raised concern over potential environmental and ecological risks and stoked regional security tensions, with countries accusing each other of stealing rain.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
On June 16, 1986, Langford was selling some of the last of her inventory when a crack addict named Melvin Trotter walked into Langford's Grocery Store and started stealing from the cash register.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Indiana lawmakers are expected to vote on some spotlight-grabbing bills today, including one that would pave the way for the Chicago Bears to move to Hammond, Indiana.—
Kaitlin Lange,
IndyStar,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The Smart House Inc dryer vent cleaner is an effective tool for grabbing lint that clogs hoses.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeering. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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