hijacker

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who illegally seizes control of a vehicle, especially an aircraft, by force or threats.

   Grammar: Countable: a hijacker, the hijackers. It usually refers to the person, not the act.

   Patterns

   • a hijacker
   • the hijackers
   • be a hijacker

   The hijacker demanded that the plane fly to another country.

   Police arrested the hijacker after the bus was stopped.

   The hijackers were armed and took the passengers hostage.

2. 2nouncountablecomputing

   A person who takes control of a computer session, website, or conversation without authorization.

   Grammar: Countable and often used in computing contexts: a session hijacker.

   Patterns

   • a session hijacker
   • a browser hijacker
   • be a hijacker

   A session hijacker can steal your login details if the connection is not secure.

   The browser hijacker changed the homepage without the user's permission.

   Security experts warned about hijackers who take over email accounts.

Word forms

Common combinations

a plane hijacker

The plane hijacker was overpowered by the crew.

a car hijacker

A car hijacker forced the driver out at gunpoint.

a session hijacker

The session hijacker gained access to the bank account.

a hijacker demands

The hijacker demanded a large sum of money.

Synonyms and how they differ

kidnapper

A kidnapper takes a person and holds them for ransom; a hijacker takes control of a vehicle or system.

pirate

A pirate attacks ships at sea; a hijacker can also seize a ship but the word is broader.

attacker

Attacker is a general word for someone who attacks; hijacker is specific to taking control.

Word family

hijack verb

To seize control of a vehicle or system illegally.

hijacking noun

The act of seizing control.

Commonly confused: hijacker or hijab?

Practice

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