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
Since the electron’s motional states are quantized, the resonator adopts one or two states during the experimental procedure, which is the potential building block of a qubit.
—
ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
Asus is introducing a new ROG Xbox Ally gaming handheld that adopts an OLED screen and even augmented reality glasses.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
In contrast, the Ruby adopts a more aggressive café racer stance thanks to its traditional clip-on bars.
—New Atlas, 29 May 2026
And, of course, onstage in his act, in which the 47-year-old comedian from Old Hickory, Tennessee, adopts the persona of a middle-aged everyschlub befuddled by modern life and expectations of basic competence.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
The quintessential warrior prince adopts feminine dress and traits and teaches dancing.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
If the referendum goes to the ballot and is approved by voters, more fine-tuning will have to occur when the Legislature adopts language either in the 2027 session or a special session after the election to allow the state to implement the new law.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
One minute, Oli is passing out at lunch from excessive drug use, the next he’s changed by a run-in with the small daughter of one of his clients, and adopts a dog that puts his life back on track.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 May 2026
Din eventually adopts a fatherly relationship with his young ward and tries to protect him from all threats.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
Asus is introducing a new ROG Xbox Ally gaming handheld that adopts an OLED screen and even augmented reality glasses.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
In contrast, the Ruby adopts a more aggressive café racer stance thanks to its traditional clip-on bars.
—New Atlas, 29 May 2026
And, of course, onstage in his act, in which the 47-year-old comedian from Old Hickory, Tennessee, adopts the persona of a middle-aged everyschlub befuddled by modern life and expectations of basic competence.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
The quintessential warrior prince adopts feminine dress and traits and teaches dancing.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
If the referendum goes to the ballot and is approved by voters, more fine-tuning will have to occur when the Legislature adopts language either in the 2027 session or a special session after the election to allow the state to implement the new law.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
One minute, Oli is passing out at lunch from excessive drug use, the next he’s changed by a run-in with the small daughter of one of his clients, and adopts a dog that puts his life back on track.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 May 2026
Din eventually adopts a fatherly relationship with his young ward and tries to protect him from all threats.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopts
Verb
-
But De la Espriella borrows elements not just of policy, but political style from abroad.—
Catherine Ellis,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
-
The quaint but stylish converted house is next door to Harry’s Fine Foods, a restaurant whose cozy indoor-outdoor porch belies its inventive menu that borrows influences ranging from the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia.—
Harry Cheadle,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Interest in the author’s life can curdle into obsession, as in Henry James’s The Aspern Papers, in which the narrator embraces any deception necessary to acquire the letters of a dead poet.—
Walt Hunter,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
-
Galitzine embraces the indignity.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adopts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopts. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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