Antonyms for Hijacked: Opposite Words

Updated 2026-10-12 · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: Hijacked implies unlawful seizure or loss of control, so its true opposites involve voluntary transfer, restoration of authority, or the return of control to the rightful owner. Words like restored, released, and returned capture this shift from coercion to liberation. While no single word fits every scenario, these terms effectively describe the state of regaining command or the act of giving up possession willingly.

Direct Opposites of Hijacked

restored: Returns control to the original state; The captain restored the plane to the pilots after the threat ended.
returned: Goes back to the owner; The stolen documents were returned to the bank manager within the hour.
released: Set free from custody; The captors released the hostages without demanding ransom money.
recovered: Regains possession after loss; Police recovered the vehicle from the criminals on the highway.
reclaimed: Takes back what was taken; The company reclaimed its assets after the fraud was exposed.
rescued: Saved from danger or captivity; Heroes rescued the passengers from the burning ship.
liberated: Set free from oppression; The team liberated the computer system from the malicious actors.
regained: Gets back something lost; She regained her seat after the intruder was removed.
yielded: Gave up control voluntarily; The attackers yielded the vehicle to the police without a struggle.
surrendered: Admits defeat and gives up; The rebels surrendered the cargo to the peacekeepers.

Milder Opposites of Hijacked

handed over: Transfers possession politely; He handed over the keys to the new tenant.
gave up: Voluntarily stops holding; She gave up the pen to the teacher.
let go: Releases without force; The father let go of his child during the ceremony.
passed to: Moves control smoothly; The bat was passed to the next player.
delivered: Brings safely to a destination; The courier delivered the package to the recipient.
handed back: Returns something received; The librarian handed back the overdue book.
transferred: Moves authority legally; The manager transferred the project to a new team.

Best Opposite by Situation

in a legal context: restored; The court ordered the assets restored to the victim.
in aviation: returned; The pilot returned the aircraft to the air traffic control.
in negotiations: yielded; The opposing side yielded the territory to the treaty signers.
in rescue operations: rescued; The divers rescued the divers who were trapped underwater.
in property law: reclaimed; The owner reclaimed the land after the lease ended.
in general usage: returned; He returned the borrowed book to the library.

Example Sentences With the Opposites

The pilot restored control of the plane after the passengers calmed down.
The police returned the stolen car to its rightful owner within the day.
The captors released the hostages after their demands were met.
The team recovered the lost data from the damaged server.
The company reclaimed its brand after the scandal was resolved.
The rescue crew liberated the survivors from the sinking ship.
She regained her freedom after the long legal battle ended.
The attackers yielded the city to the defending army.

How to Choose the Right Opposite

Select the antonym based on the specific context of control and ownership. If the focus is on regaining authority after a loss, use restored or recovered. If the action involves giving up possession voluntarily, choose yielded or surrendered. For situations where someone is freed from captivity, rescued or liberated are the best fits. Always ensure the sentence reflects the shift from forced control to voluntary return or liberation.