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
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Recent Examples of adopts
The proposal, approved on first reading on Tuesday night, would be implemented as soon as the end of March if the City Council adopts it on final reading, a vote that appears likely, given the lack of opposition now that Calvo holds the mayor’s office and has consensus support on the council.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
By calling itself an institute, the artist-run organization adopts the traditional markers of academic power while collapsing the hierarchies of collegiate critical theory and interdisciplinary studies programs.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Morina’s direct style — following Shaban and Hatixhe closely, highlighting the physicality of their labor — adopts the matter-of-fact attitude of his protagonists.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Expanding upon his 2022 Sundance Short Film Jury Award-winning short by the same name, writer-director Walter Thompson-Hernández adopts a painter’s eye towards the local Watts community.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
As more of the population adopts this technology, this energy problem will only further compound.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Lost, Helen adopts a goshawk and throws herself into the world of big bird ownership, gloves and all.
—Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The president who controversially cut funding for mental health services plays a psychologist named Professor Boyd who adopts a monkey as his son to prove that personality traits are shaped by one’s environment, not one’s genetics.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
His initial budget proposal, released last week, basically adopts the current spending plan, with a few tweaks that continue his ideological drift to the right.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
By calling itself an institute, the artist-run organization adopts the traditional markers of academic power while collapsing the hierarchies of collegiate critical theory and interdisciplinary studies programs.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Morina’s direct style — following Shaban and Hatixhe closely, highlighting the physicality of their labor — adopts the matter-of-fact attitude of his protagonists.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Expanding upon his 2022 Sundance Short Film Jury Award-winning short by the same name, writer-director Walter Thompson-Hernández adopts a painter’s eye towards the local Watts community.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
As more of the population adopts this technology, this energy problem will only further compound.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Lost, Helen adopts a goshawk and throws herself into the world of big bird ownership, gloves and all.
—Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The president who controversially cut funding for mental health services plays a psychologist named Professor Boyd who adopts a monkey as his son to prove that personality traits are shaped by one’s environment, not one’s genetics.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
His initial budget proposal, released last week, basically adopts the current spending plan, with a few tweaks that continue his ideological drift to the right.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopts
Verb
-
What is the truth, what is the lie, and how photography historically borrows the sense of truth and reality in order to tell lies, in order to seduce people to do things.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Virtually all of Kin borrows its distortion and unstable vibrations, making the new record a far less soothing listen than its predecessor.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mike Varshavski, a family medicine physician and social media influencer, embraces live debate.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Mayor Vi Lyles said Charlotte is a city that embraces innovation.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adopts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopts. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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