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
-
The Trump administration — particularly Musk with the takeover of the Treasury payment system — is literally executing policy at the most nuts-and-bolts level.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
4 Feb. 2025
-
This year marks the first time Fox Sports rolls out its special takeover of Tubi for the big game – inclusive of streaming Fox and Fox Deportes’ Super Bowl LIX broadcasts on the platform live in 4K (on compatible devices).—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 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
-
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) forces have since received training by Russian forces in the Far East and first engaged in combat with Ukrainian military in November, subsequently seizing their first village in Kursk, Plekhovo, earlier this month.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Although law enforcement seizures of illicit fentanyl have surged in recent years, there’s also some evidence that the drug supply is changing again.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Yet Hamas' victory in the last-ever Palestinian elections held in 2006 gave way to infighting and Hamas' eventual seizure of the territory in 2007.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
It is funded outside of the congressional appropriations process, and its funding comes from the Fed.—
Laurel Wamsley,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Redirecting funds from inefficient government spending in non-defense, non-veterans and non-homeland security discretionary appropriations accounts.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Edwards delivered in a big way, scoring a career-high 53 points, hitting 10 3-pointers and grabbing six rebounds.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
-
But those are just two headline-grabbing crimes.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 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
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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
-
Following Assad’s fall, Israel has expanded its presence beyond the Golan Heights, occupying areas deeper inside Syria and justifying the move by citing security concerns.—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Dec. 2024
-
While landfills may not emit hazardous compounds, non-biodegradable debris is occupying more and more space.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near commandeering
Cite this Entry
“Commandeering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commandeering. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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