annex

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verb an·nex \ ə-ˈneks , ˈa-ˌneks \

Definition of annex

transitive verb

1 :to attach as a quality, consequence, or condition

Many privileges were annexed exclusively to royalty.

2 archaic :to join together materially :unite

3 :to add to something earlier, larger, or more important

annexed a bibliography to the thesis

4 :to incorporate (a country or other territory) within the domain of a state

The U.S. annexed Texas in 1845.

5 :to obtain or take for oneself

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annexation

play \ˌa-ˌnek-ˈsā-shən\ noun

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annexational

play \-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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annexationist

play \-sh(ə-)nist\ noun

See annex defined for English-language learners

See annex defined for kids

Examples of annex in a Sentence

The United States annexed Texas in 1845.
The government planned to annex the islands.

Recent Examples of annex from the Web

Tom Jurich, accustomed to running U of L athletics as a committee of one, was stripped of some of his autonomy in the closing stages of arena negotiations annexed by interim president Dr. Greg Postel.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Adidas deal should ease friction at University of Louisville | Tim Sullivan," 25 Aug. 2017
In 1898, the United States annexed the Philippines, with a full-scale invasion and a $20 million payoff to the Spanish, who had colonized the islands for the previous 300 years.

— jonathan m. katz, The Atlantic, "The Revealing Myth of Pershing and the Pigs' Blood," 18 Aug. 2017
Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move that was never recognized internationally, and the country claims sovereignty there.

— isabel kershner, New York Times, "Jordan’s King, Spurred by Jerusalem Mosque Crisis, Meets With Palestinian Leader," 7 Aug. 2017
The Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-2 Wednesday to recommend the Naperville City Council annex 6.6 acres at Commons Avenue and Mill Street and approve construction of the 146-unit Avenida Senior Living center.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "Naperville commission endorses action for senior housing complex despite petition against it," 20 July 2017
The property owners petitioned the commissioners to have the land annexed into the Village of Amelia.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Clermont County Roundup: County Fair fun, a land battle, road and light improvements in Loveland," 20 July 2017
Back in Hollywood, the Castle must have seemed small compared with the open seas, so Depp sought to annex the cul-de-sac surrounding his home by buying all of its houses, for a total cost of around $10 million.

— vanityfair.com, "How Did Johnny Depp Find Himself in a Financial Crisis?," 5 July 2017
Israel captured east Jerusalem during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it, but the international community doesn't recognize Israeli sovereignty.

— ilan ben zion, Jewish Journal, "In test for Trump, Israel plans 800 east Jerusalem homes," 5 July 2017
The nearly 15,000-student research university, which already brands itself as being in Atlanta and has an Atlanta address, filed paperwork Tuesday to annex itself into the city’s borders.

— melissa korn, WSJ, "Emory University Looks to Be Incorporated Into City of Atlanta," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'annex.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of annex

Middle English, from Anglo-French annexer, from annexe attached, from Latin annexus, past participle of annectere to bind to, from ad- + nectere to bind

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

annex Synonyms

Synonyms

adjoin, add, append, subjoin, tack (on)

Antonyms

abate, bate, deduct, knock off, remove, subtract, take off

Related Words

affix, attach, fasten, fix, graft, hitch, tag, tie; infuse, inject, insert, interfuse, introduce; aggrandize, amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, increase, multiply, raise, swell up; elongate, lengthen, prolong, protract; enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify; complement, supplement, supply; enforce, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; maximize

Near Antonyms

detach, disconnect, disjoin, separate, unfasten; amputate, cut, excise, lop (off), sever; contract, decrease, diminish, lessen, lower, reduce; abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten; compress, condense, constrict, cut back, retrench

annex

play

noun an·nex \ ˈa-ˌneks , -niks \

Definition of annex

:something annexed as an expansion or supplement: such as

a :an added stipulation or statement :appendix

approved the annex in the treaty

b :a building that is attached to or near a larger building and usually used as part of it :wing

Historical photographs were on view in the library's annex.

See annex defined for English-language learners

Examples of annex in a Sentence

The addition will be used as an annex to the library.
We store our old files in the annex.
an annexe to the document

Recent Examples of annex from the Web

The scenes illustrate a daily spectacle of Washington influence at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., the city's newest luxury hotel that has quickly become a kind of White House annex.

— jonathan o'connell, chicagotribune.com, "How the Trump International Hotel changed Washington's culture of influence," 7 Aug. 2017
On the night of July 25, 1967, three young black men were shot and killed in the annex building of Detroit’s Algiers Motel during a police investigation.

— richard lawson, vanityfair.com, "Detroit Review: Kathryn Bigelow’s Harrowing Drama Has an Uneasy Power," 23 July 2017
The reported last words of Aubrey Pollard, 19, who was killed by a police officer in 1967 at the Algiers Motel annex in Detroit.

— julie hinds, Detroit Free Press, "Can 'Detroit,' the movie about the 1967 Algiers Motel killings, start a national dialogue?," 23 July 2017
On the night of July 25, 1967, three young black men were shot and killed in the annex building of Detroit’s Algiers Motel during a police investigation.

— richard lawson, HWD, "Detroit Review: Kathryn Bigelow’s Harrowing Drama Has an Uneasy Power," 23 July 2017
On your way in, stop by Long Trail Brewing Co., the state’s OG craft brewery, for experimental brews in its new farmhouse annex, or hit farm and winery La Garagista in nearby Barnard, where the owners host a pop-up wine bar.

— alyssa giacobbe, CNT, "What to Do in Vermont This Summer," 12 July 2017
The headquarters workforce is scattered among about two dozen annex buildings in the Washington region.

— john fritze, baltimoresun.com, "Congressman questions ties between Trump and company bidding to build FBI headquarters," 14 June 2017
The work involved removing most if not all of the additions and annexes to the original 1926 building, restoring the exterior while creating a state-of-the-art educational interior.

— thomas jewell, cleveland.com, "Rumors of Rox-Middle School closing are just that, CH-UH officials say," 12 June 2017
For now, White said, his focus is on making repairs to the 33-year-old main tower and nearly 18-year-old annex, as well as improving training and working conditions for correctional officers.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "A new Jackson County jail? Frank White unsure one is necessary," 6 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of annex

see ¹annex

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1501

See Words from the same year

annex Synonyms

Synonyms

addition, extension, penthouse

Related Words

arm, ell, wing

ANNEX Defined for English Language Learners

annex

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verb

Definition of annex for English Language Learners

: to add (an area or region) to a country, state, etc. : to take control of (a territory or place)

annex

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noun

Definition of annex for English Language Learners

: a building that is attached to or near a larger building and usually used as part of it
: a section or statement added at the end of a document

ANNEX Defined for Kids

annex

play

verb an·nex \ ə-ˈneks , ˈa-ˌneks \

Definition of annex for Students

annexed; annexing

:to add (something) to something else usually so as to become a part of it

The United States annexed Texas and it became a state.

annex

play

noun an·nex \ ˈa-ˌneks \

Definition of annex for Students

:a building or part of a building attached to or near another building and considered part of it

a school annex

Law Dictionary

annex

play

transitive verb an·nex \ ə-ˈneks, ˈa-ˌneks \

legal Definition of annex

1 :attach 2

correspondence annexed to the petition

a greenhouse annexed to the building

2 :to incorporate (as a territory) within a political domain

the district annexes only shards of 24 additional parishes
—Hays v. Louisiana, 839 F. Supp. 1188 (1993)

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annexation

play \ˌa-nek-ˈsā-shən\ noun

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annex

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Origin and Etymology of annex

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ANNEX Defined for English Language Learners

annex

Definition of annex for English Language Learners

annex

Definition of annex for English Language Learners

ANNEX Defined for Kids

annex

Definition of annex for Students

annex

Definition of annex for Students

Law Dictionary

annex

legal Definition of annex

annexation

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