as in borrowed
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in orphaned
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adopted
Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
As an unofficial adviser to the Chinese government and a scientific ambassador between his birth country and his adopted home, Lee was instrumental in a wide range of education and exchange programs in China.
—Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 5 Sep. 2024
Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Many professors are already taking these steps themselves, but few schools have adopted such policies institution-wide.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adopted
Verb
His adopted daughter, Sandra Correia Lopes, 12, weighs just 12 kilograms, or 26 pounds, and falls sick frequently.
—Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
As an unofficial adviser to the Chinese government and a scientific ambassador between his birth country and his adopted home, Lee was instrumental in a wide range of education and exchange programs in China.
—Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 5 Sep. 2024
Adjective
The Welsh corgi-terrier mix was just a year at the time Aniston adopted him.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Many professors are already taking these steps themselves, but few schools have adopted such policies institution-wide.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adopted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopted
Verb
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Parents saved, students borrowed, and the diploma became shorthand for employability.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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By adding a new molecule— borrowed from skin care—to their Infiniment Coty Paris fragrance collection, perfumes achieve the unusually long wear time of 30 hours, something none of us or our industry judges have ever seen or smelled before.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Jen, an orphaned Gelling raised in solitude by a gentle race of creatures called the Mystics, must find the missing shard that will heal the crystal and restore balance to the universe.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
4 Sep. 2025
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To fully achieve its goal, the mission also hadevacuate the nearby Saint Hélène Home, where 244 orphaned children, including 58 disabled children, had been trapped by the surrounding gang violence, threats and kidnappings.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the 77th Annual Emmy Awards embraced nostalgia with attention to classics like The Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls, it was once again dominated by streaming giants breaking records and reshaping the industry.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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West Germany’s players embraced that billing — to a certain extent.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adopted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopted. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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