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Glite Dictionary
🚚 To seize a vehicle ✈️ A vehicle seizure
highjack

highjack

7.9
An act of taking control of a plane or vehicle by force
  • noun
  • /ˈhaɪdʒæk/
  • US
: secuestro
  • The highjack of the plane created a tense situation for all on board.

Examples

  • After the highjack, authorities increased security at major airports.

  • He was arrested for planning a highjack of a delivery truck.

  • The highjack of the bus caused widespread panic.

  • Authorities are investigating the recent highjack incident.

  • The highjack of the plane created a tense situation for all on board.

  • He was arrested for planning a highjack of a delivery truck.

  • Authorities are investigating the recent highjack incident.

Synonyms

hijacking
vshighjack
  • NSFW
24 7.0

To take control of a moving vehicle by force or threats

refers to the same illegal seizure but focuses on the act itself
hijack
vshighjack
  • NSFW
10 6.8

An act of taking control of a vehicle while it moves, often to steal or change its route

is the alternate spelling used for the same act
highjacking
vshighjack
  • US
1 8.1

Taking a moving vehicle by force to steal things or demand money

mentions robbery or forced rerouting more than extortion as motive
skyjacking
vshighjack
  • NSFW
1 9.6

An illegal act of taking control of an airplane in flight by force or threat

applies to vehicles in general, not only aircraft in flight

Antonyms

to release
∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

Surface Forms

highjack singular
highjacks plural

Etymology

Highjack is a variant spelling of hijack, and a helpful way to remember it is to think of high (as in highway) plus jack, which means 'to take' or 'steal'. So a highjack is when someone takes control of a moving vehicle, which explains the modern meaning.