commandeer

verb

com·man·deer ˌkä-mən-ˈdir

commandeered; commandeering; commandeers

Synonyms of commandeer next

transitive verb

: to compel to perform military service

Civilians were commandeered by the army and forced to fight.

: to seize for military purposes

The soldiers commandeered civilian vehicles to help transport the injured.

: to take arbitrary or forcible possession of

The city commandeered 60 acres of the property by eminent domain for a new high school.

Did you know?

Military forces have always had the power to commandeer houses. The Declaration of Independence complains about the way the British soldiers have done it, and the third Amendment to the Constitution states that the commandeering of people's houses shall be done only in a way prescribed by law. Almost anything—food, supplies, livestock, etc.—can be militarily commandeered when the need arises. But you don't have to be in the military for someone to "pull rank" on you: Your father may commandeer the car just when you were about to take it out for the evening, your teacher may commandeer your cell phone as you're texting in the middle of class, or your older sister may commandeer the TV remote to watch some lousy dancing competition.

Examples of commandeer in a Sentence

The soldiers commandeered civilian vehicles to help transport the injured. an airliner commandeered by terrorists

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Domestic production offers an additional assurance because such manufacturers can be commandeered under the 1950 Defense Production Act to supply items in a time of war. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 People, surely from out of town, are walking like a chorus line, commandeering the entire sidewalk, forcing me to weave around and step onto the street to pass. —

Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024 That night, Jacquemus held an after-party on the Lady Adriana, a boat moored off the Capri coast, and on the shuttle bus to the docks and the speedboat bearing guests out to the vessel, a young fan in a sleeveless shirt commandeered the PA system to lead rabble-rousing cheers. —

Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024 Accusations that Black people will wait in line for sneakers or fast food but not to exercise political power gets parroted over and over, while the majority white electorate gets let off the hook for commandeering the ship. —

Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for commandeer