commandeer Definition
- 1to take control of something, especially a vehicle, for official or military use
- 2to take control of something without permission or authorization
Using commandeer: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "commandeer" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The military commandeered the vehicles for transportation.
Example
He commandeered the conference room for his own meeting.
Example
The dictator commandeered the country's resources for his personal gain.
commandeer Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for commandeer
- seize
- appropriate
- usurp
- confiscate
- take over
Antonyms for commandeer
Phrases with commandeer
commandeer someone's attention
to capture or hold someone's attention
Example
The speaker commanded everyone's attention with her powerful speech.
commandeer someone's services
to take control of someone's work or labor without their consent
Example
The boss commandeered his employees' services to finish the project on time.
commandeer someone's time
to take control of someone's schedule or free time
Example
The unexpected meeting commandeered his entire afternoon.
Origins of commandeer
from Dutch 'kommanderen', meaning 'to command'
Summary: commandeer in Brief
The verb 'commandeer' [ˌkɒmənˈdɪə(r)] means to take control of something, often a vehicle, for official or military use, or to take control of something without permission. It can be used in phrases like 'commandeer someone's attention' or 'commandeer someone's services,' which denote taking control of someone's time or labor.
