1
as in to hijack
to take control of (a vehicle) by force
an airliner commandeered by terrorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to seize
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 commandeer
At one point, Neville even commandeered a bus to rescue herself and others from those horrors.
—
Janelle Griffith, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Trump declared a crime emergency earlier in August, and his administration deployed federal law enforcement agencies and National Guard members to the District, giving them unprecedented authority to patrol its streets while also commandeering the Metropolitan Police force.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
As a result, the federal government cannot legally commandeer local police to enforce federal immigration laws.
—Joel Day, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
The city is continuing to apply for environmental and other permits and drawing up plans for sanitation and maintenance as pelicans commandeer the pier in the absence of humans, Reyes said.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Janelle Griffith, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Trump declared a crime emergency earlier in August, and his administration deployed federal law enforcement agencies and National Guard members to the District, giving them unprecedented authority to patrol its streets while also commandeering the Metropolitan Police force.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
As a result, the federal government cannot legally commandeer local police to enforce federal immigration laws.
—Joel Day, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
The city is continuing to apply for environmental and other permits and drawing up plans for sanitation and maintenance as pelicans commandeer the pier in the absence of humans, Reyes said.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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Nearly 3,000 people were killed in New York City, Washington, DC, and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after 19 al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four US commercial airplanes bound for West Coast destinations.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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Terrorists associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four planes.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Leaders must continuously renew and reinvent their strategies to seize opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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With each load seized, the cartel would take another bite off its own tail.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At a concurrent raid at the STUM’s headquarters, a dozen people in plain clothes, including the Shwe Pyi Thar ward administrator, were described as forcibly entering the office to confiscate laptops and cellphones.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Sep. 2025
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The victims had had their passports and phones confiscated.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The news comes as the Cybertruck was recently usurped from its position as America's best-selling electric pickup truck in the first quarter of 2025.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
14 Sep. 2025
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Some of those who attempt to seize or usurp power unconstitutionally are killed during their takeover bid, particularly when security forces loyal to the incumbent leader foil the attack.—
Joe Wright,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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How can someone steal from you and simply get away with it?—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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Two innings later, Martin singled, stole second base and eventually scored the winning run in a ninth-inning comeback victory.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Customers can wrap the truck’s exterior paneling in a color or print of their choosing, as well as customize lighting and tires, and even convert the two-passenger flat bed truck into a 5-person SUV.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
10 Sep. 2025
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In his testimony, Norwood argues that Entergy failed to consider other less costly options for its generating project in Jefferson County, namely converting the already-existing White Bluff facility to burn natural gas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere, groups briefly occupied public buildings.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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Addresses that shuttered last year are already occupied with new tenants, the turnkey transition opening new doors for diners.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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