hot-wire
verb
hot-wired; hot-wiring; hot-wires
: to start (something, such as an automobile) by short-circuiting the ignition system
Examples of hot-wire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Videos posted online showed gang members celebrating and trying to hot-wire one of the armored vehicles.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Rise in thefts Kia has also drawn unwanted attention this year over a surge in thefts linked to a TikTok challenge that urged people to hot-wire the vehicles using a screwdriver and a USB cable.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2023
Advertisement Police tips on reducing car thefts Police have offered several tips to help reduce thefts amid an increase of Kias and Hyundai vehicles being hot-wired with USB cords in a trend seen on social media.
—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 24 July 2023
The technology can prevent vehicles from being hot-wired and stolen.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 20 June 2023
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Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Rise in thefts Kia has also drawn unwanted attention this year over a surge in thefts linked to a TikTok challenge that urged people to hot-wire the vehicles using a screwdriver and a USB cable.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2023
Advertisement Police tips on reducing car thefts Police have offered several tips to help reduce thefts amid an increase of Kias and Hyundai vehicles being hot-wired with USB cords in a trend seen on social media.
—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 24 July 2023
The technology can prevent vehicles from being hot-wired and stolen.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 20 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Hot-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot-wire. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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