hijack

verb

ˈhī-ˌjak How to pronounce hijack (audio)
variants also highjack
Definition of hijacknext
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

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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 Visible signs of body-hijacking mental illness drive Ingrid to a grisly suicide in the bathroom that her daughter is forced to witness. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026 The question is how long the mini-digression can become without hijacking the main sentence (or story). — Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 Neither candidate is captive to the extremes that have hijacked so much of our national discourse. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 Hong's shortfall compared with public polling could temper the belief that progressives have hijacked the Democratic Party. — Garrett Downs,davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hijack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hijack
  1. commandeer
  2. seize
Verb
  • The Jackson campaign had commandeered the green room Bottoms and her aides were supposed to use for the event.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • John’s little motorbike proves no match for the large truck commandeered by the T-1000, which blasts through a cinder block wall at one point.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of commandeer
Verb
  • The Texas high school football season is underway, and several Fort Worth-area teams seized statement wins.
    — Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But while the Jets’ defense piled up takeaways, the rookie quarterback failed to seize the spotlight during the 23-6 loss to the Giants.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of seize

Browse Nearby Words

highways
hijack
hijacked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hijack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hijack. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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