1
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
dissidents were shot, and their lands expropriated under his regime
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to evict
to end the occupancy or possession of
the state will have to expropriate scores of homeowners in order to build the new road
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to confiscate
to take ownership or control of (something) by right of one's authority
plans by the city to expropriate entire blocks of houses in order to bulldoze them for expansion of the airport
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expropriate
After all, Exxon had its oil assets expropriated in Venezuela less than 20 years ago.
—
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Both companies have filed arbitration cases against Venezuela seeking billions of dollars in compensation for assets that were expropriated by the government.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
The few Jews remaining in Venezuela are reluctant to speak publicly about the situation, especially given recent government threats to expropriate Jewish properties in Caracas — not to mention the country’s strong relationships with Iran and Hezbollah.
—Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
The facilities, some of which were built by Havana Docks, had been expropriated without compensation in 1960.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Both companies have filed arbitration cases against Venezuela seeking billions of dollars in compensation for assets that were expropriated by the government.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
The few Jews remaining in Venezuela are reluctant to speak publicly about the situation, especially given recent government threats to expropriate Jewish properties in Caracas — not to mention the country’s strong relationships with Iran and Hezbollah.
—Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
The facilities, some of which were built by Havana Docks, had been expropriated without compensation in 1960.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate
Verb
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Gil Messing, the Chief of Staff of Check Point, an Israeli cybersecurity company, said the FBI seizing the Handala site would help combat the perception of Iran’s cyber ability.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
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So, when Ozzie (Kyle Bary), a former child star, finds himself in a heap of trouble, Jax seizes the opportunity to spice up her daily routine.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police also found that the Crouses and Soho had been evicted from the apartment on North Main Street.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
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Not since the Scoobies evicted Buffy from her own damn house has the BtVS fandom felt so betrayed.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Earlier Wednesday, journalists were shown equipment confiscated in raids elsewhere, including uniforms and fake identification cards used by scammers to pose online as Japanese police officers to trick and intimidate victims.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
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His father was forged by years of revolutionary hardship—prison, persecution, life underground—before coming to power and reportedly amassing a war chest exceeding $100 billion, built in part from properties confiscated from religious minorities who fled persecution.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The table by the front door was entirely usurped by leashes, harnesses, collars, assorted car seat belts and, of course, poop bags.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While there’s some truth to each assessment, maintaining that cloudy lens will only deprive you of stellar dining opportunities.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Mar. 2026
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This deprived the state treasurer of huge assets that otherwise could have been invested to generate billions of dollars in revenue over those seven decades.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Shortly thereafter, VanSlooten stole the ball and drove the length of the court for a layup that made it 54-51.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Amedee makes a diving stop at first to steal a hit away from Cotton.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As Morocco’s indigenous inhabitants, El Hammoumy continued, the Berbers are like other native peoples around the world who have been systematically dispossessed of their lands and heritage for centuries.—
Kevin West,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
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The Netherlands international was dispossessed seven times — the most of any player in a Premier League game this season.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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So grab your Kindle or take a trip to the bookstore, because your TBR is about to get a lot longer.—
De Elizabeth,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2026
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Gui Santos put up 18 points and four rebounds, and Gary Payton II continued his strong run of play on the offensive side of the ball by scoring 15 and grabbing six rebounds.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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