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co-opt

verb
\ kō-ˈäpt How to pronounce co-opt (audio) \
co-opted; co-opting; co-opts

Definition of co-opt

transitive verb

1a : to choose or elect as a member members co-opted to the committee
b : to appoint as a colleague or assistant
2a : 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
b : take over, appropriate a style co-opted by advertisers
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Other Words from co-opt

co-optation \ ˌkō-​ˌäp-​ˈtā-​shən How to pronounce co-optation (audio) \ noun
co-optative \ kō-​ˈäp-​tə-​tiv How to pronounce co-optative (audio) \ adjective
co-option \ kō-​ˈäp-​shən How to pronounce co-option (audio) \ noun
co-optive \ kō-​ˈäp-​tiv How to pronounce co-optive (audio) \ adjective

First Known Use of co-opt

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for co-opt

Latin cooptare, from co- + optare to choose

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Time Traveler for co-opt

The first known use of co-opt was in 1651

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More Definitions for co-opt

co-opt

verb
How to pronounce co-opt (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of co-opt

formal
: to cause or force (someone or something) to become part of your group, movement, etc.
: to use or take control of (something) for your own purposes

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More from Merriam-Webster on co-opt

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with co-opt

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for co-opt

Spanish Central: Translation of co-opt

Nglish: Translation of co-opt for Spanish Speakers

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