appropriate

1 to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right archaeologists once freely appropriated artifacts excavated at ancient African sites for their museums in Europe Synonyms arrogate, commandeer, convert, expropriate, pirate, preempt, press, seize, take over, usurp Related Words annex, attach, claim, confiscate, impound, repossess, sequester; assume, collar, grab, grasp, snatch, steal, wrench, wrest; despoil, loot, pillage; encroach, infringe, invade, occupy, preoccupy, trespass; embezzle, misapply, misappropriate, misuse, peculate

2 to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep you can't just appropriate somebody's term paper and put your name on it! Synonyms steal, boost [slang], filch, heist, hook, lift, misappropriate, nick [British slang], nip, pilfer, pinch, pocket, purloin, rip off, snitch, swipe, thieveRelated Words burglarize, knock over, rob; loot, pillage, plunder, sack; carjack, hijack (also highjack); pick, rifle; poach, rustle, shoplift; collar, grab, grasp, nail, seize, snatch, take; mooch, sponge; abduct, kidnap, shanghai, spiritNear Antonyms buy, purchase; bestow, contribute, donate, give, hand over, present