Standard Lemma guide

carjack

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈkɑː(ɹ).dʒæk/
  • US: /ˈkɑɹ.d͡ʒæk/
  • CMU ARPABET: K AA1 R JH AE2 K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To steal an automobile forcibly from (someone).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Someone should carjack that pompous jerk and teach him a lesson!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To forcibly steal (a vehicle).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • These twerps have carjacked their last Mercedes.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

take someone's car from him by force, usually with the intention of stealing it

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • My car was carjacked last night!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: commandeer, hijack, highjack, pirate

History

Etymology

* Blend of car + hijack

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 劫車 /劫车 (jiéchē) — to steal an automobile forcibly
  • Japanese: カージャック (kājakku) — to steal an automobile forcibly
  • Spanish: arrebatar — to steal an automobile forcibly
  • Spanish: secuestrar — to steal an automobile forcibly
  • Spanish: rebatar — to steal an automobile forcibly
  • Spanish: atracar — to steal an automobile forcibly