co-opted; co-opting; co-opts

transitive verb

1
a
: to choose or elect as a member
members co-opted to the committee
b
: to appoint as a colleague or assistant
2
a
: to take into a group (such as a faction, movement, or culture) : absorb, assimilate
The students are co-opted by a system they serve even in their struggle against it.A. C. Danto
b
: take over, appropriate
a style co-opted by advertisers
co-optative adjective
co-option noun
co-optive adjective

Examples of co-opt in a Sentence

the national organization co-opted many formerly independent local groups
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In response, Williams pointed out how major corporations co-opting the live music landscape has led to financial issues for smaller venues. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025 According to Vodou, when a person experiences an unnatural, early death, priests can capture and co-opt their soul. Tom Duszynski, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025 In some cases, specific designs from fashion brands have been co-opted by political groups as their uniforms. Steve Salter, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025 In Eddington, Joe co-opts the righteous anger of BLM. Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for co-opt

Word History

Etymology

Latin cooptare, from co- + optare to choose

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of co-opt was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Co-opt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/co-opt. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

co-opt

verb
kō-ˈäpt
co-opted; co-opting
1
: to take into a group (as a faction, movement, or culture) : assimilate
2
: take over, appropriate sense 1
a style co-opted by advertisers

More from Merriam-Webster on co-opt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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