co-opted; co-opting; co-opts
1
a
: to choose or elect as a member
members co-opted to the committee
b
: to appoint as a colleague or assistant
2
a
: to take into a group (such as a faction, movement, or culture) : absorb, assimilate
The students are co-opted by a system they serve even in their struggle against it.—
A. C. Danto
A. C. Danto
b
: take over, appropriate
a style co-opted by advertisers
Examples of co-opt in a Sentence
the national organization co-opted many formerly independent local groups
Recent Examples on the Web
Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party have cowed their liberal opponents, co-opted most of the Turkish press, purged and restaffed the Turkish military—with special zeal after crushing a 2016 coup attempt—and revamped Turkey’s intelligence service.
—Reuel Marc Gerecht, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2025
However, what Remmick really wants is to co-opt Sammie's music for his own means.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Over time, however, the holiday has been co-opted by extremist groups.
—Art Jipson, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025
In evolutionary history, such behaviors might have been co-opted from more general stress responses.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for co-opt
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Reuel Marc Gerecht, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2025
However, what Remmick really wants is to co-opt Sammie's music for his own means.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Over time, however, the holiday has been co-opted by extremist groups.
—Art Jipson, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025
In evolutionary history, such behaviors might have been co-opted from more general stress responses.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for co-opt
Cite this Entry
“Co-opt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/co-opt. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share