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commandeer

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To commandeer is to take possession or control of something, or to take control of something for a military or law-enforcement purpose, or to make someone help you.

(verb)

When you take over the kitchen at someone else's house without permission because you think you are a better cook, this is an example of when you commandeer the kitchen.
When the police are chasing a suspect and they take your vehicle to do so, this is an example of when they commandeer your vehicle.
When you convince someone to help you plan a wedding even if he doesn't want to, this is an example of when you commandeer his help.

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See commandeer in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to force into military service
to seize (property) for military or government use
Informal to take forcibly

Origin: Du kommandeeren, to command, (esp. Afrik) to commandeer < OFr comander, command

See commandeer in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb com·man·deered, com·man·deer·ing, com·man·deers

To force into military service.
To seize for military use; confiscate.
To take arbitrarily or by force. See Synonyms at appropriate.

Origin:

Origin: Afrikaans kommandeer

Origin: , from French commander, to command

Origin: , from Old French comander; see command

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