as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
the Spanish navy's commandeering of fishing boats and impressment of fishermen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in hijacking
to take control of (a vehicle) by force
an airliner commandeered by terrorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in seizing
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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of commandeering
Laura Romero, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
The crux of the coalition’s argument is that the immigration operation in Minnesota constitutes a violation of the Tenth Amendment, which protects the sovereignty of states and bars the federal government from commandeering state and local resources for federal purposes.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
In that first game, Jokic was seen commandeering the whiteboard to draw up a play in a timeout.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
Another solution is to manipulate the game with your mind versus commandeering physically.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2025
That set off a flurry of diplomatic efforts among European leaders, outraged at the thought of the White House commandeering assets in their custody.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The bickering survivors of the Canterbury, led by reluctant captain Jim Holden (Steven Strait), become an unlikely band of freedom fighters/kingmakers after commandeering a Martian warship and rebranding it as the Rocinante (named after Don Quixote's horse).
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Dec. 2025
Verb
This is precisely the type of coercion and commandeering that violates the 10th Amendment.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
The crux of the coalition’s argument is that the immigration operation in Minnesota constitutes a violation of the Tenth Amendment, which protects the sovereignty of states and bars the federal government from commandeering state and local resources for federal purposes.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Jan. 2026
In another way, this is about a coach commandeering a program and rebuilding it the old-fashioned way.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
In that first game, Jokic was seen commandeering the whiteboard to draw up a play in a timeout.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
Another solution is to manipulate the game with your mind versus commandeering physically.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2025
That set off a flurry of diplomatic efforts among European leaders, outraged at the thought of the White House commandeering assets in their custody.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The bickering survivors of the Canterbury, led by reluctant captain Jim Holden (Steven Strait), become an unlikely band of freedom fighters/kingmakers after commandeering a Martian warship and rebranding it as the Rocinante (named after Don Quixote's horse).
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeering
Noun
-
Around the same time, Southwest’s management came under pressure following an activist takeover by Elliott Investment Management.—
Dallas Morning News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Molinar’s update on student performance data comes less than a week after the district lost its final attempt at appealing a state takeover from the Texas Education Agency.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trump’s entire doctrine is naked rapacity, from Venezuela to hijacking the Kennedy Center to hideously remaking the White House in his own gaudy image.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Brooklyn Beckham also accused his mom of hijacking his first dance with Peltz at the wedding reception.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
China is seizing an opportunity to challenge American dominance in global finance and exert greater international influence at the expense of the all-powerful US dollar.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Allegations include entering homes without warrants, stopping, intimidating and seizing legal observers, and detaining suspects by virtue of their appearance or accent.—
Yohuru Williams,
The Conversation,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The courts have granted exceptions to a seizure without a search warrant and each specific incident should be reviewed based on its facts.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Those documents will reveal the grounds the federal government used to justify the FBI’s seizure of 2020 election records last month.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now the city wants more tools to expand its limited enforcement options, which would start with warnings, then fines and may include confiscating food, equipment and carts found in violation of city ordinance and health codes.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Video of the incident shows a CBP officer confiscating the handgun shortly before other agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.—
Paul Kiefer,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Though the study is underway now, it’s been in the works since Congress included the plan in appropriations legislation in 2022.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The $1 million is not a new appropriation.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mood shifted around midnight, when a guest lost her phone and began accusing others of stealing it, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Two more people were arrested after allegedly stealing about $1 million in gold jewelry in the January smash-and-grab robbery of a Yuba City jewelry store, police said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hearing the faint sirens of the white police officers who have been monitoring the area for no real reason, Kid attempts to blend into the party by grabbing the mic of the bored DJ—played by Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton—to freestyle.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Or, Stein recommends grabbing a bed/mattress vacuum that is made specifically for the mattress.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commandeering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeering. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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