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
Susan Vineyard/Getty Images The raw emotion displayed by Lector resonated deeply with viewers who urged those close to Fort Lauderdale to adopt him.
—
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
This team must adopt an aggressive mentality on offense through both personnel and play-calling.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
In 1985, the Ohio Legislature adopted it as the official state rock song.
—Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
The infant’s mother was adopted at age 2, one of nine children raised by the adoptive mother.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for adopt
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
This team must adopt an aggressive mentality on offense through both personnel and play-calling.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
In 1985, the Ohio Legislature adopted it as the official state rock song.
—Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
The infant’s mother was adopted at age 2, one of nine children raised by the adoptive mother.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for adopt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopt
Verb
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Investors have been demanding the U.S. government pay more in interest to borrow because of worries about whether it’s set to add trillions of dollars to its debt through tax cuts under discussion on Capitol Hill.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
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Eastman borrowed money from his uncle to fund the first issue, and a 3,000-copy run would soon sell out.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The New York progressive has embraced the Democratic socialist label, despite pushback from within her own party.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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Although the world has embraced contactless payments, some markets still use cash.—
Gregory Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adopt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopt. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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