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commandeer

/ˌˈkɑmənˌˈdɪər/
IPA guide

Other forms: commandeered; commandeering; commandeers

What is that person doing, interrupting everyone and changing the subject every minute? He is trying to commandeer, or take control, of the conversation.

You can probably tell from the look of the word that commandeer is somehow related to commander in meaning. A commander is someone who is officially in charge, giving orders and making decisions for a group such as a nation or a military. Many groups don't have a commander, but this doesn't stop some people from trying to take charge. If you commandeer something — whether it's a car or a conversation — you use force to try to take over.

Definitions of commandeer
  1. verb
    take arbitrarily or by force
    “The Cubans commandeered the plane and flew it to Miami”
    synonyms: highjack, hijack, pirate
    see moresee less
    types:
    skyjack
    subject an aircraft to air piracy
    carjack
    take someone's car from him by force, usually with the intention of stealing it
    type of:
    seize
    take or capture by force
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘commandeer'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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