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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commandeer
Much as the first episode after November’s election started out overly earnest before its mid-cold-open rug-pull, this one barely let Miranda cough out one syllable before James Austin Johnson’s Trump commandeered the sketch, dragging it into a hilarious new direction.
—
Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025
And there's longstanding Supreme Court precedents that say that the federal government cannot commandeer a state or local government to do the job of the federal government.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
Bonta reaffirmed this in a joint statement with 10 other state attorneys general Thursday, writing that the federal government cannot commandeer states into forcing federal laws.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025
Each of us commandeered one of the miniature half-controllers snapped off the main controller.
—Tom Brant, PCMAG, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025
And there's longstanding Supreme Court precedents that say that the federal government cannot commandeer a state or local government to do the job of the federal government.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
Bonta reaffirmed this in a joint statement with 10 other state attorneys general Thursday, writing that the federal government cannot commandeer states into forcing federal laws.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025
Each of us commandeered one of the miniature half-controllers snapped off the main controller.
—Tom Brant, PCMAG, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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How cute things hijack our brains and drive behaviour Trends in Cognitive Science.—
Avery Hurt,
Discover Magazine,
24 Feb. 2025
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Over War Game Concerns How U.S. Minuteman III Tests Stack Up Against Russia's ICBM Track Record Some suggest that the plane suffered a mechanical failure of some kind, while other, more conspiratorial, theories claim that staff aboard the flight planned to hijack the plane for other purposes.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In a lightning three-week offensive, the M23 took control of eastern Congo's main city Goma and seized the second largest city, Bukavu.—
JANVIER BARHAHIGA AND MONIKA PRONCZUK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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Serving this warrant with a copy of the Affidavit, and making the search and if the person or property to be found there, to seize the person or the property and hold for safekeeping until further order of this court.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Personal property confiscated by the FBI during its 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago was boxed up and loaded onto Air Force One to make the journey back to Florida.—
Christian Datoc,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
1 Mar. 2025
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President Donald Trump celebrated on Friday after the FBI returned boxes of classified documents that were confiscated during a raid of Mar-a-Lago in 2022.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kyle Shanahan’s system elevates almost every QB, but Lance lasted only eight games (four starts) with the 49ers, then failed to usurp Cooper Rush in Dallas.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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This began a multi-decade attempt by George to usurp power from Edward and take the throne for himself.—
Sarah Holzmann,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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While the competitive spirt was certainly alive and well between co-parents Tarek, Heather and Christina throughout the season, another personal crisis unexpectedly stole the show: Christina's split from Josh.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
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While its interior artfully blends mid-century aesthetics with a modern Scandinavian feel, the food and beverage program truly steals the spotlight.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The toilet used bacteria to convert human waste into water and gases.—
Amitava Kumar,
The New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2025
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The Cowgirls were able to capitalize at the end of the game off free throws, converting 12-for-17 to pull ahead in the final minutes.—
Allison Smith,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Lozano exited the match in the 28th minute after appearing to grab his left hamstring.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Tari Eason scored 14 points and Dillon Brooks added 12. Sabonis’ injury Sabonis grabbed his left hamstring while running the floor just over a minute into the game.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Oleksandr Prokudin, head of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, which was mostly occupied by Russia early in the war but later partially retaken by Ukrainian forces, said three years of war had hardened his countrymen to the ups and downs of the fight to survive.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
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The property occupies a sizable 7,500-square-foot lot.—
Bay Area Home Report,
The Mercury News,
1 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to commandeer
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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