Thesaurus results for HIJACK

hijack

verb

ˈhī-ˌjak

variants also highjack

Definition of hijack

as in to commandeer

to take control of (a vehicle) by force some loser tried to hijack the plane with a toy gun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hijack The guide also featured a picture of Palestinian activist Leila Khaled, who gained iconic status among left-wing circles for hijacking planes in 1969 and 1970. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026 Digital streaks, from nightly games to professional habits, often hijack our intentions, turning recreational activities into obligations that cost us real rest. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Jakob Nowell and Zayno hijacked KTLA’s weather broadcast with their own playful commentary. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026 Yet since 1997, when the Sanford airport adopted its current moniker, GOAA has griped that the smaller air field — more than 30 miles to the north and about an hour’s drive depending on traffic — had hijacked its name. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hijack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hijack

Verb

This data could be leveraged for surveillance or intelligence, and robots could be remotely commandeered.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
There is a seasonal meadow of two dozen native wildflowers, and a year-round spectacle of sandaster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia) commandeers much of the front yard.

— Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of commandeer

Verb

Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Biggs, 67, has seized on the refusal, repeatedly challenging Hobbs to debate and making her absence itself part of his campaign message.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Browse Nearby Words

highways

hijack

hijacked

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to hijack

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hijack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hijack. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hijack

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The Words of the Week - 4/9/2021

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words...

How 'Punk Rock' Got Its Name

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on hijack

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

lackadaisical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes