Skyjack: meaning, definitions and examples

✈️
Add to dictionary

skyjack

 

[ ˈskaɪdʒæk ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

airplane

To hijack an airplane in flight, typically by threatening violence or using force.

Synonyms

commandeer, hijack, seize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
skyjack

Used specifically for the act of taking control of an aircraft, typically by force. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • The authorities thwarted an attempt to skyjack the commercial flight.
  • In the movie, a group of terrorists plan to skyjack a plane.
hijack

Used when someone takes control of any vehicle (cars, buses, ships, etc.) by force. It has a strong negative connotation and implies criminal activity.

  • Pirates attempted to hijack the cargo ship in open waters.
  • The mastermind was caught while trying to hijack a bus full of tourists.
commandeer

Used when someone takes control of something, often vehicles, furniture, or buildings for military or emergency purposes. It doesn't necessarily imply violence and can be seen in both positive and neutral contexts.

  • The soldiers had to commandeer a civilian vehicle to reach their base.
  • During the natural disaster, the government decided to commandeer hotels to house the displaced citizens.
seize

Used when someone takes hold of something suddenly and forcefully. It can be used in both legal and illegal contexts and has a neutral to negative connotation.

  • The police had to seize the illegal drugs from the warehouse.
  • She managed to seize the opportunity and made a successful career.

Examples of usage

  • The terrorists attempted to skyjack the plane to use it as a weapon.
  • Passengers were terrified when the hijackers tried to skyjack the aircraft.
Context #2 | Noun

crime

The act of unlawfully taking control of an aircraft in flight, often for political or criminal purposes.

Examples of usage

  • Skyjackings have decreased significantly due to improved security measures.
  • The FBI was called in to investigate the latest skyjack.

Translations

Translations of the word "skyjack" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sequestrar um avião

🇮🇳 हवाई जहाज का अपहरण करना

🇩🇪 Flugzeug entführen

🇮🇩 membajak pesawat

🇺🇦 викрадати літак

🇵🇱 porwać samolot

🇯🇵 ハイジャックする

🇫🇷 détourner un avion

🇪🇸 secuestrar un avión

🇹🇷 uçak kaçırmak

🇰🇷 비행기를 납치하다

🇸🇦 اختطاف طائرة

🇨🇿 unést letadlo

🇸🇰 uniesť lietadlo

🇨🇳 劫持飞机

🇸🇮 ugrabiti letalo

🇮🇸 ræna flugvél

🇰🇿 ұшақты ұрлау

🇬🇪 თვითმფრინავის გატაცება

🇦🇿 təyyarəni qaçırmaq

🇲🇽 secuestrar un avión

Etymology

The term 'skyjack' originated in the mid-20th century as a blend of 'sky' and 'hijack'. The practice of skyjacking became more prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s, with a number of high-profile cases attracting international attention. Improved airport security measures and international cooperation have since reduced the frequency of skyjackings.

See also: sky, skyborne, skydiver, skydivers, skylight, skyline, skyward, skywards.