1
as in seizing
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 stealing
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 appropriating
When that happened in 2007, Chevron entered a deal to continue operating in the country, but ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil departed, accusing the Venezuelan government of unfairly appropriating billions in assets.
—
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
But Huddleston disagreed, saying the charter governs spending money but doesn’t apply to merely appropriating it.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
Trump expressly declared that appropriating Venezuela’s enormous oil reserves justified regime change.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Before springing for that Mandala or Celtic knot design, make sure to read up on its meaning to avoid appropriating any cultural or spiritual themes.
—Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 11 Dec. 2025
Some might be offended by an upstart office appropriating the hallowed Blue nickname.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
Legislative leaders are considering appropriating the money during a special session next month.
—The Npr Network, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
While some fans were thrilled to see the return of a Snapchat filter, matte-lip sporting Jenner, others were less enchanted, calling the reality star out for appropriating Black culture.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The awards are expected to be announced later this year and depend on Congress appropriating the funds, according to the National Science Foundation website.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2025
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
But Huddleston disagreed, saying the charter governs spending money but doesn’t apply to merely appropriating it.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
Trump expressly declared that appropriating Venezuela’s enormous oil reserves justified regime change.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Before springing for that Mandala or Celtic knot design, make sure to read up on its meaning to avoid appropriating any cultural or spiritual themes.
—Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 11 Dec. 2025
Some might be offended by an upstart office appropriating the hallowed Blue nickname.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
Legislative leaders are considering appropriating the money during a special session next month.
—The Npr Network, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
While some fans were thrilled to see the return of a Snapchat filter, matte-lip sporting Jenner, others were less enchanted, calling the reality star out for appropriating Black culture.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The awards are expected to be announced later this year and depend on Congress appropriating the funds, according to the National Science Foundation website.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriating
Verb
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China is seizing an opportunity to challenge American dominance in global finance and exert greater international influence at the expense of the all-powerful US dollar.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Allegations include entering homes without warrants, stopping, intimidating and seizing legal observers, and detaining suspects by virtue of their appearance or accent.—
Yohuru Williams,
The Conversation,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The mood shifted around midnight, when a guest lost her phone and began accusing others of stealing it, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Two more people were arrested after allegedly stealing about $1 million in gold jewelry in the January smash-and-grab robbery of a Yuba City jewelry store, police said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now the city wants more tools to expand its limited enforcement options, which would start with warnings, then fines and may include confiscating food, equipment and carts found in violation of city ordinance and health codes.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Video of the incident shows a CBP officer confiscating the handgun shortly before other agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.—
Paul Kiefer,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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The War of the Two Caesars also serves as a nice mirror for everything going down with the Brotherhood, Elder Cleric Quintus still hellbent on usurping the Commonwealth despite the arrival of Kumail Nanjiani’s Paladin Xander Harkness, an emissary from that neck of the woods.—
Jack King,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Hearing the faint sirens of the white police officers who have been monitoring the area for no real reason, Kid attempts to blend into the party by grabbing the mic of the bored DJ—played by Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton—to freestyle.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
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Or, Stein recommends grabbing a bed/mattress vacuum that is made specifically for the mattress.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Korean researchers have demonstrated a new method for producing jet fuel by converting landfill gas originating from food waste and manure into liquid fuel.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
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The princess took advantage of the spacious Kensington Palace home, converting its top floor into a playground for her two young sons.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For many reasons Texans are overtaxed as witnessed by the governor claiming surpluses.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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The co-owner of Pierozek in Brooklyn says a website claiming to sell pierogi plush pillows used photos from his restaurant's social media accounts in their customer reviews section.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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