1
as in to hijack
to take control of (a vehicle) by force
an airliner commandeered by terrorists
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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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Recent Examples of commandeer
In a more futuristic vein, the response to climate warming will create new technologies, some of them in the realm of geo-engineering which may be able to alter the effects of climate damage, but that might also be commandeered for harm.
—
Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
To celebrate the launch of the online store, Orbi will commandeer the Sphere’s Instagram on Thursday (@SphereVegas) and will answer fan questions starting at 3 p.m. ET.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
During a shareholder party, a band of radical activists commandeer the gathering in order to expose the environmental damage that’s been covered up by the corrupt company’s fraternal CEOs and their co-conspirators in attendance.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
To celebrate the launch of the online store, Orbi will commandeer the Sphere’s Instagram on Thursday (@SphereVegas) and will answer fan questions starting at 3 p.m. ET.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
During a shareholder party, a band of radical activists commandeer the gathering in order to expose the environmental damage that’s been covered up by the corrupt company’s fraternal CEOs and their co-conspirators in attendance.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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In April 2024, Russian hackers hijacked the Walt Disney BabyTV channel, which was broadcast across Europe via geostationary satellites of the French satcom provider Eutelsat.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Those three countries, once derided as the ‘big three’ after trying to hijack the sport a decade ago, take in 87 per cent of bilateral international cricket revenues.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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At that point, Hamas had emerged victorious in elections and seized power amid a violent rift with the PA's leading Fatah faction, still led by Arafat's successor, President Mahmoud Abbas.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
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Illinois was among the first states to pass an NIL law, and Kolak was ready to seize the moment.—
Stacy St. Clair,
ProPublica,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Then, in 2010, the bank where the chips were stored confiscated the chips after opening the deposit box.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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The animals were confiscated and given to multiple wildlife agencies for care, according to the post.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The movie takes place in 1957, when Genovese is jealous of Costello’s power and influence and wants to usurp him as the big boss in New York.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
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The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, claims OPM is usurping congressional authority.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Coop is fired from his high-profile finance job, starts stealing from his wealthy neighbors to keep up his lifestyle, chaos ensues, and get your popcorn ready.—
Danielle Pergament,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
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When Myers arrived at the shed, Mahdi attacked, shooting him nine times, pouring diesel fuel on his body and setting him on fire before stealing his police truck and multiple guns, court records say.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The largest cause of deforestation is a lack of demand for forest products, which causes our forest to be converted to industrial, agricultural, residential uses.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
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However, his time with the Patriots was brief—the team had drafted him with the intention of converting him to another position like defensive back or running back, position changes Gannon resisted.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Roberts grabbed eight boards vs. Gonzaga in the round of 32, 12 vs. Purdue in the Sweet 16 and 12 more vs. Duke in the Final Four.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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In the footage, Combs, wearing a robe, is seen kicking Ventura, grabbing her by the hair and throwing her to the ground before grabbing her suitcase and handbag.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Unlike classical computing, which processes information through bits that can exist in either zeros or ones, quantum computing is an evolving field where quantum bits (or qubits) can occupy both zero and one in a single unit.—
Rachel Curry,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2025
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A couple of Jacob's cowboys take position on the roof, Zane takes cover out front, Elizabeth arms herself with a shotgun inside, and Cara occupies a sniper perch with her husband's elk rifle.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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