as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
the development of the colony involved expropriation of large tracts of fertile farmland from the natives
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expropriation
Palmer Luckey, same thing—equating property expropriation with democracy.
—
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Books permit these corporations—many of them whose foundations are tied to European colonialism and the history of expropriation and looting—to be authors in the telling of history and culture.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The expropriations, along with the firings, consolidated state control of the oil sector and, experts say, drained the country of expertise and investment, inflicting lasting damage.
—Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Following the 2007 expropriations under Chávez, many of these facilities were nationalized, and then undermaintained and allowed to deteriorate.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expropriation
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Books permit these corporations—many of them whose foundations are tied to European colonialism and the history of expropriation and looting—to be authors in the telling of history and culture.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The expropriations, along with the firings, consolidated state control of the oil sector and, experts say, drained the country of expertise and investment, inflicting lasting damage.
—Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Following the 2007 expropriations under Chávez, many of these facilities were nationalized, and then undermaintained and allowed to deteriorate.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expropriation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriation
Noun
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But bragging about enjoying a hard shell taco nowadays is like showing up to a street takeover in a horse buggy.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Months after the rumors first appeared, Brown-Forman has officially run out of potential takeover suitors.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Noun
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If Republicans maintain control of the House, our first priority should be accountability and oversight of this administration through whatever means necessary — leveraging the appropriations process, wielding subpoena power, working with outside partners to file lawsuits and more.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
At the time, now Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer had announced that an appropriations bill included up to $10 million for the establishment of the USAISI at NIST.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
José Antonio Cortes Huerta, 39, the leader of a cell affiliated with the Northeast Cartel, was arrested in Nuevo León, stemming from an investigation following the seizure of a boat in Tamaulipas, security minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said in a social media post.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
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In real life, investigators made the seizure at the home of a gardening supply store owner suspected of taking part in a marijuana trafficking ring in 2016, according to the lawsuit.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Construction could begin after the city signs off on annexation, plats and a new water well for the area, but the developer told council members homes are unlikely to be occupied until after ITD finishes its Karcher Road work, with full build‑out expected to take five to 10 years.—
Noah Daly
May 7,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2026
-
Residents filed an April 6 lawsuit seeking to reverse the January annexation.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Noun
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This is an ancient practice that continues into the Middle Ages called usurpation.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Court’s usurpation runs deeper than the invalidation of statutes with a liberal cast, though there has been plenty of that.—
Duncan Hosie,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expropriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriation. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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