Carjacked: meaning, definitions and examples

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carjacked

 

[ kɑrˈdʒækt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

criminal activity

Carjacked refers to the act of forcibly taking a vehicle from its owner, typically through threats or violence. This term is often used in the context of car theft where the thief uses intimidation or strong-arm tactics to steal the car while the owner is present.

Synonyms

auto theft, car theft, vehicle theft

Examples of usage

  • The man was carjacked at gunpoint in the parking lot.
  • She survived being carjacked on her way home from work.
  • The police reported an increase in carjacked incidents in the city.

Translations

Translations of the word "carjacked" in other languages:

🇵🇹 carjackeado

🇮🇳 कारजैक किया गया

🇩🇪 aus dem Auto geraubt

🇮🇩 dirampok mobil

🇺🇦 викрадено автомобіль

🇵🇱 skradziony samochód

🇯🇵 車を奪われた

🇫🇷 voiture volée

🇪🇸 coche robado

🇹🇷 araba çalındı

🇰🇷 차를 도난당한

🇸🇦 سرقة السيارة

🇨🇿 ukradené auto

🇸🇰 ukradnuté auto

🇨🇳 被抢劫的汽车

🇸🇮 ukradeno vozilo

🇮🇸 bíll rænt

🇰🇿 автокөлік ұрланған

🇬🇪 მანქანა გაძარცვეს

🇦🇿 maşın qaçırılıb

🇲🇽 auto robado

Etymology

The word 'carjack' originated in the United States in the early 1990s. It is a combination of the words 'car' and 'hijack'. The term 'hijack' itself comes from the 1920s, which originally referred to the act of robbing a cargo vehicle, and it is thought to be derived from a slang term 'hi-jack', meaning to seize or take over a vehicle or cargo. As car theft became more prevalent, especially in urban areas, the specific term 'carjacking' emerged to describe this criminal act where a driver is attacked and robbed of their vehicle, often at gunpoint or with the use of intimidation. Carjacking has since become a significant concern for law enforcement agencies and owners alike, leading to discussions around safety measures and legal ramifications.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,591, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.