Synonyms of commandeering

commandeering 1 of 2

noun

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

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

commandeering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of commandeer

1

as in hijacking

to take control of (a vehicle) by force

an airliner commandeered by terrorists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hijacking
• confiscating
• seizing
• appropriating
• skyjacking
• carjacking
• expropriating

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

• seizing
• confiscating
• stealing
• grabbing
• usurping
• occupying
• converting
• appropriating
• preempting
• claiming
• invading
• pirating
• expropriating
• arrogating
• annexing
• assuming
• snatching
• pressing
• attaching
• looting
• taking over
• impounding
• sequestering
• repossessing
• pillaging
• encroaching
• grasping
• despoiling
• wresting
• trespassing
• wrenching
• collaring
• infringing
• misusing
• misappropriating
• preoccupying
• embezzling
• misapplying
• peculating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of commandeering

Noun

The authority dates back to the private commandeering of ships during the War of 1812. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Westfield Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara, California, began charging in 2022 to discourage commuters, travelers and other people not parking there to shop from commandeering all the spots. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Imagine, then, commandeering a private plane for the ultimate two-week adventure entirely on your own terms. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026

Although this year’s edition of the Oscars, which aired on ABC on March 15, was hardly in the class of the 1972 installment, there was at least one moment that recalled Johnson’s witty, graceful sendup of stars commandeering the ceremony to climb atop their soapbox. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026

After commandeering the offense with shot volume in recent games, Edwards played a real floor game to get his teammates involved. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

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 that first game, Jokic was seen commandeering the whiteboard to draw up a play in a timeout. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026