illegally seize (an aircraft, ship, or vehicle) while in transit and force it to go to a different destination or use it for one's own purposes, take over (something) and use it for a different purpose

hijack and hold hostage, hijack the show, hijack someone's thunder

hijack someone's identity, hijack someone's conversation, hijack someone's emotions

Formal and Informal Expressions of hijack

In different contexts, you can replace 'hijack' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'commandeer, usurp' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'steal, take over' is a commonplace synonym.

hijack: Explore its Definition & Usage

hijack Definition

1illegally seize (an aircraft, ship, or vehicle) while in transit and force it to go to a different destination or use it for one's own purposes
2take over (something) and use it for a different purpose

Using hijack: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hijack" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The plane was hijacked by terrorists.
Example
He hijacked the meeting to talk about his own agenda.
Example
The hackers hijacked the company's website.
Example
The thief hijacked the delivery truck and stole its contents.

hijack Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for hijack

Antonyms for hijack

Idioms Using hijack

hijack and hold hostage
to take control of something or someone and demand something in return for their release
Example
The kidnappers hijacked and held the tourists hostage until their demands were met.
hijack the show
to take control of a situation or event and make it all about oneself
Example
She always tries to hijack the show and make it about her instead of the guests.
hijack someone's thunder
to take credit for someone else's idea or achievement
Example
He always tries to hijack my thunder and take credit for my work.

Phrases with hijack

hijack someone's identity
to steal someone's personal information and use it for fraudulent purposes
Example
The scammer hijacked her identity and opened credit cards in her name.
hijack someone's conversation
to interrupt someone's conversation and change the topic to something else
Example
He always tries to hijack our conversations and make them about himself.
hijack someone's emotions
to manipulate someone's feelings for one's own benefit
Example
The politician tried to hijack the voters' emotions with his speeches.

Origins of hijack

from highjack, perhaps from hawker, meaning 'peddler'

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Summary: hijack in Brief

The verb 'hijack' [ˈhaɪdʒæk] refers to illegally seizing or taking over something, such as an aircraft, meeting, or website, for one's own purposes. The term can also extend to stealing personal information or manipulating emotions. Phrases like 'hijack someone's identity' and idioms like 'hijack and hold hostage' demonstrate the various contexts in which 'hijack' can be used.