as in borrows
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of adopts
The bar also partners with Wags and Walks, a non-profit organization that rescues and adopts dogs in need.
—
Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
When a child adopts troubling behaviors, values, or attitudes, the typical instinct for caregivers is to intervene.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
In Hulu’s new sports comedy, Glen Powell will portray a one-time hotshot college quarterback who adopts a new identity, Chad Powers.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Donations will be accepted at the Wine Garden in support of Shelter to Soldier, a local nonprofit that adopts shelter dogs and trains them as service dogs for post-9/11 veterans.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
The finished film also adopts this style.
—Big Think, 26 Aug. 2025
While Levack adopts the shape and form and feel of a rom-com or a coming-of-age comedy, the specificity of her story lends her sophomore debut real gravitas.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
To sweeten the deal, Hill’s Pet Nutrition will give 13 months of free cat food — 13, again — to whomever adopts the cats.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
These official statistics are often revised in the months that follow as the bureau adopts new methods or more data becomes available.
—Thomas A. Stapleford, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
When a child adopts troubling behaviors, values, or attitudes, the typical instinct for caregivers is to intervene.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
In Hulu’s new sports comedy, Glen Powell will portray a one-time hotshot college quarterback who adopts a new identity, Chad Powers.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Donations will be accepted at the Wine Garden in support of Shelter to Soldier, a local nonprofit that adopts shelter dogs and trains them as service dogs for post-9/11 veterans.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
The finished film also adopts this style.
—Big Think, 26 Aug. 2025
While Levack adopts the shape and form and feel of a rom-com or a coming-of-age comedy, the specificity of her story lends her sophomore debut real gravitas.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
To sweeten the deal, Hill’s Pet Nutrition will give 13 months of free cat food — 13, again — to whomever adopts the cats.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
These official statistics are often revised in the months that follow as the bureau adopts new methods or more data becomes available.
—Thomas A. Stapleford, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopts
Verb
-
The model borrows from tech culture’s open-source ethos.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Their technique borrows from results obtained during a 2022 test mission for asteroid collision, called Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART).—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And up in orbit, the Enterprise also embraces the fantasy vibe, deploying a Vulcan mind-meld to get Spock and Kirk piloting the Enterprise and Farragut, respectively, in telepathic unison.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The entire performance is a shining spotlight on the record, which toys with the malleability of their sound and embraces unconventional approaches to an already robust sound.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adopts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopts. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share