as in adopting
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of borrowing
Liberal and performing arts majors, for example, should think twice about borrowing hundreds of thousands in student loans if their median salary within five years of graduation is approximately $38,000.
—
Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Over the past twenty two or so years, the American people have received approximately $30 trillion worth of government services for which the tax to pay for them was deferred by borrowing the money.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Reeves has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of bending her own fiscal rules on borrowing.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Hawley waited until the start of the fifth season to lean all the way into the comparison, by borrowing the movie’s inciting incident where a Minnesota Nice housewife is kidnapped by two goons — one hapless, one relentless and seemingly mystical.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for borrowing
Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Over the past twenty two or so years, the American people have received approximately $30 trillion worth of government services for which the tax to pay for them was deferred by borrowing the money.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Reeves has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of bending her own fiscal rules on borrowing.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Hawley waited until the start of the fifth season to lean all the way into the comparison, by borrowing the movie’s inciting incident where a Minnesota Nice housewife is kidnapped by two goons — one hapless, one relentless and seemingly mystical.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for borrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrowing
Verb
-
Executives can poke fun at the challenges of adopting AI in an era when companies are looking everywhere for a business win using the latest tools.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The results challenge the view that Homo habilis was an emerging top predator due to their adopting stone tool-making and eating meat.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Begiristain is now spending time with his family in his home city of San Sebastian, embracing life out of the fast lane.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
At the same time, the industry is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to manage tariff risks, optimize logistics costs, and ensure pricing compliance across complex regulatory environments.—
Nish Acharya,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Borrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrowing. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share