as in to borrow
to take for one's own use (something originated by another)
shortly after moving to the U.S., the family dutifully adopted the American tradition of having turkey for Thanksgiving
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Recent Examples of adopt
These realities of New York politics partly reflect the state’s constitution, originally adopted in 1777, which devolved some but by no means all powers of self-government to the city.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Idaho, Kentucky, and Indiana have adopted legislation to impose work requirements this year, according to KFF.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 30 June 2025
The Bulls have adopted a longer scope on their current issues — again, refer back to their 2026 goals — which means this could be a stopgap compromise for the frontcourt.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Pharmaceutical companies have adopted QR technologies for medication tracking from manufacturer to patient, ensuring authenticity and preventing counterfeits.
—Swati Tyagi, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for adopt
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Idaho, Kentucky, and Indiana have adopted legislation to impose work requirements this year, according to KFF.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 30 June 2025
The Bulls have adopted a longer scope on their current issues — again, refer back to their 2026 goals — which means this could be a stopgap compromise for the frontcourt.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Pharmaceutical companies have adopted QR technologies for medication tracking from manufacturer to patient, ensuring authenticity and preventing counterfeits.
—Swati Tyagi, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for adopt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopt
Verb
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Not for nothing either does Succession borrow a dramatic template—Shakespeare’s King Lear—that comes with immediate psychological stakes.—
Brittany Allen
July 10,
Literary Hub,
10 July 2025
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And for Black women over 40, this fantasy has never been borrowed from Paris ateliers alone, but rooted in a deep cultural tradition of spectacle, performance, and self-definition.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
10 July 2025
Verb
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By embracing storytelling each professional reached their goals and experienced significant leadership transformation.—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Jude Bellingham trotted over in his flip-flops in astonishment to congratulate Courtois before the two embraced, but no one was more pleased to see his goalkeeper come to the rescue than Alonso, who was asked what was going through his mind as Sabitzer’s effort headed towards goal.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adopt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopt. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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