1
as in hijacked
to take control of (a vehicle) by force
an airliner commandeered by terrorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in seized
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 commandeered
After the war, the Allies commandeered Volkswagen production and got the show back on the road in 1945.
—
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
In 2021, hackers commandeered 150,000 remote cameras, including in schools, police departments, jails and health clinics.
—Srinivas Shekar, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
At one point, Neville even commandeered a bus to rescue herself and others from those horrors.
—Janelle Griffith, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
As their escape car was almost out of gas and one of the tires had been shot out, the robbers commandeered another car, but the driver took the keys with him.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Dec. 2024
The wily Canuck was practically invisible for the first three weeks of the season, a victim of far flashier payers (cough, Rome, cough) that commandeered all the camera time.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
The company has since commandeered the AI boom, most famously through the release of ChatGPT.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
The rebels commandeered police headquarters and a number of military airports, along with several neighboring villages.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
That night, Jacquemus held an after-party on the Lady Adriana, a boat moored off the Capri coast, and on the shuttle bus to the docks and the speedboat bearing guests out to the vessel, a young fan in a sleeveless shirt commandeered the PA system to lead rabble-rousing cheers.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
In 2021, hackers commandeered 150,000 remote cameras, including in schools, police departments, jails and health clinics.
—Srinivas Shekar, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
At one point, Neville even commandeered a bus to rescue herself and others from those horrors.
—Janelle Griffith, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
As their escape car was almost out of gas and one of the tires had been shot out, the robbers commandeered another car, but the driver took the keys with him.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Dec. 2024
The wily Canuck was practically invisible for the first three weeks of the season, a victim of far flashier payers (cough, Rome, cough) that commandeered all the camera time.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
The company has since commandeered the AI boom, most famously through the release of ChatGPT.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
The rebels commandeered police headquarters and a number of military airports, along with several neighboring villages.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
That night, Jacquemus held an after-party on the Lady Adriana, a boat moored off the Capri coast, and on the shuttle bus to the docks and the speedboat bearing guests out to the vessel, a young fan in a sleeveless shirt commandeered the PA system to lead rabble-rousing cheers.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeered
Verb
-
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
-
Terrorists associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four planes.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Of course, reporter and friend Erin Andrews seized the opportunity to ask about his recent engagement.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Allen punctuated the drive with a 6-yard touchdown scamper, as the Fishermen seized a 7-0 lead.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The two weapons were then found and confiscated by the school resource officer and other safety personnel.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The victims had had their passports and phones confiscated.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, biofuel production might turn this pathway into a tool for renewable energy, since fats can be converted into fuel.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
It is being converted from a helicopter carrier and is scheduled to complete all modifications in 2028 to operate F-35B fighter jets, the same type as those on the Prince of Wales.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Team Cherry The Pale King usurped the ruling deity, the Radiance, a god of light who shines in contrast to the Abyss, a primordial force of darkness that is represented by Void.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Mamoru Hosoda’s anime riff on Hamlet gives us a princess of Denmark hell-bent on killing the uncle who usurped the crown from her beloved dad.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One partygoer grabbed a fragrance and practically bathed in the smokey orange accords of Rendez-Vous Ivory.—
Essence,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Natalia’s story grabbed the attention of the public in 2019 when Indiana prosecutors leveled charges against the Barnetts for allegedly neglecting a dependent.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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No other candidates have officially announced their bid for the secretary of state’s office, which is now occupied by 11-year incumbent Steve Simon.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But that’s really the only change since the checkout counter of this Aldi supermarket was occupied by a 19-year-old Tijjani Reijnders.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Roberts and Robinson, who federal prosecutors say conducted the scheme over the course of five years, between 2018 and 2023, allegedly stole $900,000 from the court system.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
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The weekly jobs report stole the spotlight, as an unexpected jump to multiyear highs bolstered fears about cracks in the labor market.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commandeered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeered. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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