highjacking

hi·jack

also high·jack (hī′jăk′)tr.v. hi·jacked, hi·jack·ing, hi·jacks also high·jacked or high·jack·ing or high·jacks 1. a. To seize control of (a vehicle such as an airplane or bus) by use of force, especially as a way of reaching an alternate destination or as an act of terrorism.b. To kidnap (a person in a vehicle): people who have experienced the trauma of being hijacked.c. To stop and rob (a vehicle in transit).d. To steal (goods) from a vehicle in transit.2. a. To take control of (something) without permission or authorization and use it for one's own purposes: dissidents who hijacked the town council; spammers who hijacked a computer network.b. To steal or appropriate for oneself: hijacked her story and used it in his own book.n. The act or an instance of hijacking.

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[Probably back-formation from highjacker, perhaps from jacker, holdup man, from jack, to jacklight.]

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hi′jack′er n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

highjacking - robbery of a traveller or vehicle in transit or seizing control of a vehicle by the use of forcehijackingrobbery - larceny by threat of violencebuccaneering, piracy - hijacking on the high seas or in similar contexts; taking a ship or plane away from the control of those who are legally entitled to it; "air piracy"