Synonyms of expropriation

expropriation

noun

(ˌ)ek-ˌsprō-prē-ˈā-shən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• takeover
• appropriation
• seizure
• annexation
• usurpation
• invasion
• theft
• preemption
• confiscation
• arrogation
• occupation
• occupancy
• commandeering
• misuse
• grab
• detainer
• embezzlement
• infringement
• repossession
• looting
• assumption
• impoundment
• misappropriation
• encroachment
• stripping
• sequestration
• peculation
• pillaging
• misapplication
• piracy
• defalcation
• despoilment
• dispossession
• trespass
• attachment
• ejection
• preoccupancy
• deforcement
• disfurnishment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expropriation

Geopolitical risk, unlike standard macroeconomic risk, specifically heightens expropriation risk. — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 1 May 2026

Malema heads the Economic Freedom Fighters, which advocates for the expropriation of mines, banks and land, and is notorious for starting brawls in parliament. — Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026

Conoco will not invest until there is way to recover some of the $12 billion that Venezuela owes the company from the expropriation of its assets, CEO Ryan Lance said Tuesday. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026

Uncompensated seizure under the land-expropriation law can only be pursued under narrow circumstances—when land is unused or has been abandoned, for example—and the program seemingly has yet to seize any property. — Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026