commandeer
3 synonyms for commandeer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To seize property or people for military or official use, usually by force.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
hijack
highjack
How to use commandeer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
commandeer a vehicle
commandeer supplies
Etymology
From Dutch commanderen ("to command"), reaching English partly through Afrikaans kommandeer during the Boer Wars in the late 1800s.
Full origin of commandeer →Frequently asked questions
What does “commandeer” mean?
The word “commandeer” means to seize property or people for military or official use, usually by force. In plain terms, to take something over by force or without asking, often for an urgent or official purpose.
How do you pronounce “commandeer”?
“Commandeer” is pronounced ko-muhn-DEER (/kɒmənˈdɪə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “commandeer” in a sentence?
Here is “commandeer” used in a sentence: “The army commandeered every truck in the village during the retreat.”
What part of speech is “commandeer”?
“Commandeer” is a verb.
Where does the word “commandeer” come from?
The word “commandeer” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Dutch. From Dutch commanderen ("to command"), reaching English partly through Afrikaans kommandeer during the Boer Wars in the late 1800s.
How many meanings does “commandeer” have?
“Commandeer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to seize property or people for military or official use, usually by force.
Related words
appropriate
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