expropriate
verb
Did you know?
If you guessed that expropriate has something in common with the verb appropriate, you're right. Both words ultimately derive from the Latin adjective proprius, meaning "own." Expropriate came to English by way of the Medieval Latin verb expropriare, itself from Latin ex- ("out of" or "from") and proprius. Appropriate descends from Late Latin appropriare, which joins proprius and Latin ad- ("to" or "toward"). Both the verb appropriate ("to take possession of" or "to set aside for a particular use") and the adjective appropriate ("fitting" or "suitable") have been with us since the 15th century, and expropriate was officially appropriated in the 17th century. Other proprius descendants in English include proper and property.
Examples of expropriate in a Sentence
Pia Singh, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
The company became a target in the legal fight to pay off creditors who lost oil assets, mining rights, and more when they were expropriated under Venezuela’s former socialist ruler, Hugo Chavez, almost 20 years ago.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 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
Cite this Entry
“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expropriate. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expropriate
verb
Legal Definition
expropriate
transitive verb
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