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
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
After the 1959 revolution, the state expropriated the ground floor.
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
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
After the 1959 revolution, the state expropriated the ground floor.
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate
Verb
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The game was largely back and forth after halftime, until the Jayhawks seized momentum late.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
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Other analysts, though, are more sanguine, reckoning that the allies can instead simply seize Iranian oil tankers.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Suzanne and her husband had been living in a Queens shelter for two months after being evicted from their apartment.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Last week, the Minneapolis City Council passed a measure requiring landlords to wait 60 days to evict someone instead of 30.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
12 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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Opponents said the bill would usurp the ability of local governments to approve and fund policies that their citizens want and would create a new path to discriminate and silence minorities.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
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But streaming has usurped DVR use as a way to watch TV after the fact and is now the path to big audiences for network shows.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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And that’s obviously deprived the fund of millions of dollars every year.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The suspect vehicle in a shooting at the United States consulate in Toronto this week has been found and police on Thursday said that it was stolen.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Your 2nd House of Materials begins hosting the Moon today, drawing attention to budgets and routines that build security without stealing focus from larger goals.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 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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Heo re-holstered his Taser, intending to apprehend Best by grabbing or tackling him, Prescott said.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
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While the two men struggle with the jammed backdoor, Weisz’s character tosses them both a look before rushing toward the flames to grab her unfinished manuscript, written on legal pads, and dashing out of the cabin just in time.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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