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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Recent Examples of commandeering
Michael Franco, New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2024
She was accused of commandeering a car owned by a neighbor and former friend and then driving it into the woman, according to court papers.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Rita Ora once again returns as co-host alongside Seacrest, who’s marking his 20th year commandeering the holiday staple.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024
Companies got creative when shipping costs skyrocketed, placing orders directly with factories to cut out intermediaries or commandeering their own container ships and planes to ensure timely delivery.
—Shannon K. O'Neil, Foreign Affairs, 21 Dec. 2021
Verb
View 3 Images By commandeering smart thermostats and water heaters and sipping power from in-home EV chargers, virtual power plants are being formed across the country.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2024
She was accused of commandeering a car owned by a neighbor and former friend and then driving it into the woman, according to court papers.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Rita Ora once again returns as co-host alongside Seacrest, who’s marking his 20th year commandeering the holiday staple.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024
Companies got creative when shipping costs skyrocketed, placing orders directly with factories to cut out intermediaries or commandeering their own container ships and planes to ensure timely delivery.
—Shannon K. O'Neil, Foreign Affairs, 21 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commandeering
Noun
-
Min Aung Hlaing and senior members of his government are shunned and sanctioned by many Western countries for their 2021 takeover and human rights abuses.—
Grant Peck,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
-
That’s primarily because Lancia models were expensive and rarely seen in the U.S. throughout the five decades before the automaker was acquired by Fiat in 1969, an acquisition that followed some challenging years prior to the takeover that saved the Italian manufacturer from extinction.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Pretending to be dead, Gi-hun and his friends launch a surprise attack, overpowering the guards and seizing their weapons, leaving only one guard alive.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
-
Individuals are seizing opportunities as well.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
This can include damage to credit scores, along with the prospect of penalties and collection activities including the seizure of wages, tax refunds, and even Social Security benefits.—
Robert Farrington,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Oregon Health Authority tracks xylazine, along with other illicit drugs, via mortalities and drug seizures.—
Meira Gebel,
Axios,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Tuition makes up about 19% of WSU’s $1.3 billion budget, the second highest source behind state appropriations at 26%, with the $16 billion shortfall in Olympia looming overhead.—
Tim Clouser | The Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Carter had faced accusations of cultural appropriation in the past, and even on the website, her inspiration is vaguely credited.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Knowing defensive back is a glaring need, especially with the release of Jack Jones, is trading back and grabbing someone like Jahdae Barron while acquiring another second-round pick worth considering?—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The White Sox, though, had other ideas, grabbing Smith with the first pick of the draft for $100,000.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Unfortunately, mid-rehearsal, their mother, Rose (an absolutely magnificent McDonald), comes thundering onto the stage, usurping Jocko’s leadership and sucking up all of the air into the room.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
20 Dec. 2024
-
For instance, one of his first actions was to fund the Al-Jazeera Arabic satellite television station, allowing Qatar to set the agenda on TV screens from Casablanca to Cairo, usurping the role once played by state information ministries.—
Allen Fromherz / Made by History,
TIME,
30 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
Yes, Israel as an occupying power does not have that right to self-defense.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
-
City sit fourth in the WSL, seven points off Champions League qualification with Manchester United occupying third place.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commandeering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeering. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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