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
Hendley was part of a 2018 study that found between $3.2 and $4 billion of wealth was expropriated during the 1950s and 1960s.
—
Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
This time, Trump took issue with a new law by which the government could expropriate white farmers’ unused property.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 June 2025
The White minority that had subjugated and ruled the Black majority after expropriating their land, herding them into poor Bantustans and profiting from their cheap labor, would yield to democracy and a new constitution that would grant the right to vote to all South Africans.
—Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
The government now uses the law as a weapon to expropriate property from bona fide owners, including those previously seen as regime supporters.
—Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
This time, Trump took issue with a new law by which the government could expropriate white farmers’ unused property.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 June 2025
The White minority that had subjugated and ruled the Black majority after expropriating their land, herding them into poor Bantustans and profiting from their cheap labor, would yield to democracy and a new constitution that would grant the right to vote to all South Africans.
—Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
The government now uses the law as a weapon to expropriate property from bona fide owners, including those previously seen as regime supporters.
—Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate
Verb
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On December 30, two suspects, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith, were seized in Las Vegas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Morfa said many of her Venezuelan clients have passport complications, either having their documents annulled by the Maduro administration, or expire, or get seized by ICE.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Both countries were evicted from the country in 2007 by Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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The 73-year-old actor, once one of Hollywood’s most magnetic leading men, was recently evicted from his home of a decade.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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French authorities confiscated the cocaine.—
Jay Weaver
January 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
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While raising the kids together, Ruby and Hildebrandt abused the two youngest children with harsh punishments and torture, according to Ruby's journal that was later confiscated.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Vintage fiberglass end chairs and a pair of cushy benches usurped the traditional dining set.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
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Allowing the programs to lapse further would create unintended—and unwelcome—opportunities for foreign adversaries, which could usurp America’s influence in both regions, Murphy wrote.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Chauvin pleaded guilty to willfully depriving, while acting under color of law, Floyd's constitutional rights, as well as the rights of a 14-year-old boy.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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An attorney for the states said withholding funding would cause chaos by depriving families who rely on it.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One of the more entertaining theories to explain Indiana’s success is that a Hoosiers staffer hacked a cloud to steal the opponent’s game plans.—
Mac Engel
January 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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The perfect partner for the look is a powder pink clutch and stole, both with embroidery that matches the dress.—
Ana Serrano,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mikel Arteta’s league leaders try to combine to play through the defensive block, but Liverpool’s tight marking prevents them from finding a free player, and Wirtz manages to dispossess Odegaard.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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Black people and other non-white South Africans were displaced and dispossessed.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
20 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Start your very own love affair with Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum by grabbing a bottle today, and check out some of Dermelect’s other skin correcting serums and facial oils below.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
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Madison outrebounded Point Loma 36-24, with Stevens grabbing seven and Moore five.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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