What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hijacking
Example
The robbers hijacked the truck and stole all the goods. [hijacked: past tense]
Example
The pirates hijacked the ship and held the crew hostage. [hijacking: gerund or present participle]
skyjacking
Example
The terrorists skyjacked the plane and demanded a ransom. [skyjacked: past tense]
Example
The passengers were terrified when the hijacker threatened to skyjack the plane. [skyjacking: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Skyjacking is a less common term than hijacking and is typically associated with incidents that occurred in the past. Hijacking is still used today and is more commonly heard in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hijacking and skyjacking?
Both hijacking and skyjacking are serious crimes and are typically used in formal contexts, such as news reports or legal documents.
