1
as in seized
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
archaeologists wrongfully appropriated artifacts excavated at ancient sites for their museums
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in stole
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
you can't just appropriate somebody's term paper and put your name on it!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of appropriated
The delay and uncertainty mean Duryea and hundreds of small towns are still waiting on the federal government to disburse money that Congress already appropriated, says Andrew Rumbach, who studies disaster policy at the Urban Institute think tank.
—
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
Attorneys for the federal government were only able to file a motion to reopen the case once Congress appropriated Justice Department funds.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
But Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said in a statement to The Bee that the legal expenses more than paid for themselves when the state won back $188 billion in money that Congress had appropriated, but the administration was withholding.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Because the fee revenue is appropriated by Congress and most of it is not considered mandatory spending, TSA does not have control of the money.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, the president has embarked on a plan to renovate the center, after Congress appropriated $257 million in funds as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Just weeks after Congress appropriated 2026 funds for NIH, the administration is already stalling their release.
—Jenna Norton, STAT, 12 Mar. 2026
What isn’t clear is how much of the money appropriated by Congress is going to make its way into new grants for research.
—Brendan Cantwell, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
The outlet also uncovered church documents showing more than $420,000 was allegedly appropriated by Shaleta, while noting the total could be as high as $1 million.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
Attorneys for the federal government were only able to file a motion to reopen the case once Congress appropriated Justice Department funds.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
But Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said in a statement to The Bee that the legal expenses more than paid for themselves when the state won back $188 billion in money that Congress had appropriated, but the administration was withholding.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Because the fee revenue is appropriated by Congress and most of it is not considered mandatory spending, TSA does not have control of the money.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, the president has embarked on a plan to renovate the center, after Congress appropriated $257 million in funds as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Just weeks after Congress appropriated 2026 funds for NIH, the administration is already stalling their release.
—Jenna Norton, STAT, 12 Mar. 2026
What isn’t clear is how much of the money appropriated by Congress is going to make its way into new grants for research.
—Brendan Cantwell, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
The outlet also uncovered church documents showing more than $420,000 was allegedly appropriated by Shaleta, while noting the total could be as high as $1 million.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriated
Verb
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Police said that officers seized a quantity of marijuana and a gun that was later found to have been stolen.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Gangs have since seized control of much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, leading then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to request international military support in 2022.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After the second pitch, Joey Loperfido stole second base and Christian Walker scored on the play thanks to a throwing error by catcher Connor Wong.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Nestlé revealed that thieves stole 12 tons of KitKat products while the candy was in transit between the company’s factory in central Italy and its destination in Poland.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Upon arrival in Russia, passports are immediately confiscated and retained by North Korean security officials, according to the report.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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In January, the Colombian Navy seized over two tons of cocaine from a speedboat in the South Pacific Ocean, and in November, the nation announced its largest cocaine bust in a decade, with 14 tons confiscated at its main Pacific port.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The criminal investigation was turned over to Connecticut State Police, who reported finding that $85,500 was misappropriated, which included $4,000 that was missing from the Police Activity League account which is used for youth and community events, according to the warrant affidavit.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
There was the safety dummy that was misappropriated by impatient commuters.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Vodka had overtaken gin in popularity by 1967, but by 2000 had fully usurped it, like Claudius to King Hamlet—occupied its position, married its wife, and taken control of its lands.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2026
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In other words, the apparatus that became the modern movie camera, up until digital technology usurped the role that film cameras played in capturing the first 100 years of filmmaking.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Holter, who lives about a mile away, remembers a suitcase stolen off a porch and a bicycle swiped.—
Celina Tebor,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Monrovia Police Department said the woman suffered minor injuries after the bear swiped at her leg and scratched the back of her knee on Saturday.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Predators blew a 3-0 lead before O'Reilly converted off a pass from Luke Evangelista to give them their 15th straight win over the Sharks for their longest winning streak ever against one opponent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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But the Flames had converted four times on either odd-man rushes or breakaways, erasing the Ducks’ early 1-0 lead.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In his latest motion, Kilpatrick claimed that prosecutors wanted to pull funds from the account and asked him to speak to his wife about it.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Pekau denied the allegation and claimed Henry was fabricating information.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriated. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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