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Hijack - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Hijack means to illegally seize control of a vehicle, especially an aircraft, or to take over something by force or unauthorized means. It can also refer to stealing goods in transit.

hijack

/ˈhaɪˌdʒæk/ /ˈhaɪdʒæk/

Definition:

Illegally seize control of a vehicle, especially an aircraft, often by force or threat.

Synonyms:

commandeer, seize, take over, skyjack

Part of Speech:

verb, noun

Antonyms:

surrender, release

Common Collocations:

hijack a plane, hijack a truck, hijack a meeting

Derivatives:

hijacker, hijacking

Usage Tips:

Use "hijack" for unlawful takeovers of vehicles or figurative contexts like meetings; avoid casual misuse.

Common Phrases:

hijack the conversation, hijack the agenda, plane hijacking

Etymology:

Originated in 1920s from "highway" + "jack," referring to robberies before shifting to aviation contexts.

Examples:

  • 1. The thieves tried to hijack the delivery truck on the highway.
  • 2. Terrorists attempted to hijack the plane mid-flight but were stopped by security.
  • 3. He always tries to hijack our meetings with unrelated topics.
  • 4. The hackers managed to hijack the company's website for hours.

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