as in to adopt
to take for one's own use (something originated by another)
borrowed the basic plot from a book of tales, but put her personal stamp on the story
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Recent Examples of borrow
Everything relating to the film’s production must be rented, borrowed, found, or used.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 May 2026
An Indianapolis detective spoke with the victim on April 14, who allegedly said the school discovered the misconduct after a friend on the South Carolina trip borrowed her phone and found a hidden folder of her and Lemon kissing.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
The multi-generational art-dealing family has sold many Matisses throughout the decades, and borrowed many of them back for an exhibition that’s basically unheard of these days at a commercial gallery.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
The risk is not borrowing costs but bad loans to zombie firms.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for borrow
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 May 2026
An Indianapolis detective spoke with the victim on April 14, who allegedly said the school discovered the misconduct after a friend on the South Carolina trip borrowed her phone and found a hidden folder of her and Lemon kissing.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
The multi-generational art-dealing family has sold many Matisses throughout the decades, and borrowed many of them back for an exhibition that’s basically unheard of these days at a commercial gallery.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
The risk is not borrowing costs but bad loans to zombie firms.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for borrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrow
Verb
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It must be adopted by Tuesday, June 30.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
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The groups called for a moratorium on new data center development in order to allow local governments more time to adopt policies, investigate new zoning codes and hear community input.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
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When cable television eventually was embraced by Hollywood and Wall Street, Turner bragged about having gotten there first.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
14 May 2026
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Football, too, was brought to colonies by conquerors, only to be embraced by the conquered and remade anew.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrow. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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