WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
com•man•deer /ˌkɑmənˈdɪr/USA pronunciation   v. [~ + object]
  1. Militaryto seize (private property) for military or other public use:The military commandeered all the jeeps.
  2. to seize or take unfairly:He commandeered the best office furniture for his own use.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
com•man•deer  (kom′ən dēr′),USA pronunciation v.t. 
  1. Militaryto order or force into active military service.
  2. Militaryto seize (private property) for military or other public use:The police officer commandeered a taxi and took off after the getaway car.
  3. to seize arbitrarily.
  • French commander to command
  • Afrikaans kommandeer
  • 1880–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
commandeer /ˌkɒmənˈdɪə/ vb (transitive)
  1. to seize for public or military use
  2. to seize arbitrarily
Etymology: 19th Century: from Afrikaans kommandeer, from French commander to command
'commandeering' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
impress

Forum discussions with the word(s) "commandeering" in the title:


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