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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of commandeer
Parents retreat to the top-floor study while kids commandeer the lower-level theater.
—
Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
The 72-mile path that the AT takes through Great Smoky Mountains National Park could have commandeered nearly three-quarters of this list, but that would be a copout.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 7 Apr. 2025
The politicians commandeer banks, rewrite regulations, and take control of procurement contracts.
—Elizabeth David-Barrett, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Booker's grand gesture thrust him — and the Democratic Party — into the national spotlight, amassing hundreds of thousands of livestream views at a time when Trump's zone-flooding style has commandeered nearly every news cycle.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
The 72-mile path that the AT takes through Great Smoky Mountains National Park could have commandeered nearly three-quarters of this list, but that would be a copout.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 7 Apr. 2025
The politicians commandeer banks, rewrite regulations, and take control of procurement contracts.
—Elizabeth David-Barrett, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Booker's grand gesture thrust him — and the Democratic Party — into the national spotlight, amassing hundreds of thousands of livestream views at a time when Trump's zone-flooding style has commandeered nearly every news cycle.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commandeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeer
Verb
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In effect, advocates of a higher SALT deduction have hijacked the entire budget process in pursuit of a self-serving carve-out that has crowded out everything else under discussion.—
The Editors,
National Review,
20 May 2025
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In the past Hamas reportedly has hijacked food aid, retaining some for its own forces and selling what remains to the public.—
Dina Kraft,
Christian Science Monitor,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Israel imposed a blockade on all supplies entering Gaza in March, saying Hamas was seizing supplies meant for civilians - a charge the group denies.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Officials with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a search at Ross’ home in Oklahoma and seized materials that were used to build the explosive devices, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Provincial Police confiscated the 1964 Iso Rivolta Grifo A3 Stradale, entered in the Concorso by Thomas Shannon, after allegedly stopping its American driver on the streets of Cernobbio without an International Driving Permit.—
Michael Taylor,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Police confiscated guns, heroin, cocaine and $19,000 in cash when executing a search warrant.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Verb
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None of this bodes well for Vance’s argument that judges are trying to usurp the role of American voters.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
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Pitney Bowes is now on its fourth CEO in three years, with the activist investor that started it all usurping the head of the table.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Sophomore infielder Luke Nixon was responsible for half of them, stealing 14 in 16 attempts.—
Mitch Light,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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In other words: just like in commerce, the real cost of a breach isn’t just what’s stolen.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Scheffler has now successfully converted his first three 54-hole leads or co-leads in majors, something done only nine other times in the modern era.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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Apple and Google have also made efforts to remove AI services that convert clothed images into manipulated nude ones from their app stores and search results.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Verb
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In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.—
Jalyn Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2025
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The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The Industrialist Facing the Barclays Center, The Industrialist occupies a four-story warehouse reimagined as an artist's sanctuary.—
Malik Peay,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
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But in 1943, the Germans occupied Athens and began deporting Jews.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commandeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeer. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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