hijacker
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of hijacker
1885–90, high(wayman) + jacker, apparently jack 1 to hunt by night with aid of a jack light + -er 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The hijacker Wilfried Boese “blanched” when a hostage displayed a concentration-camp tattoo and said Boese’s treatment of women, children and the elderly showed nothing had changed in Germany.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
Officials wanted to downplay hijackings as much as possible, and the best way to do this was to simply give the hijacker what they wanted to avert the loss of life.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2022
When the administrator could not stop the display or eject the intruder, she ended the meeting and asked participants to rejoin — only for the hijacker to again take control.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2022
A woman named Marla Cooper came forward in 2011, stating her uncle — whose name was Lynn Doyle Cooper — was the hijacker.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2022
Only five people remained on board TWA85 - captain Cook, first officer Wenzel Williams, flight engineer Lloyd Hollrah, flight attendant Tracey Coleman and the hijacker himself.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2019
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
