1
as in seized
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
archaeologists wrongfully appropriated artifacts excavated at ancient sites for their museums
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in stole
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of appropriated
In a 40-page filing to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, the administration insisted that being forced to spend money Congress has already appropriated is a graver injury than the hunger and disruption that would follow from withholding it.
—
James Sample, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
In his signing statement, the President appropriated the arguments put forward by the bill’s champions.
—Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Many civilian employees at the base who are paid using funds appropriated by Congress have been furloughed and others that are deemed mission critical are currently working without pay.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2025
The money is there, appropriated.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, defense attorneys for criminal defendants who cannot afford lawyers have already seen months go by without pay due to an early depletion of funds appropriated for them, and plaintiffs challenging government policies have sometimes seen their cases slow down or grind to a halt.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2025
Many African American families lacked access to publishing platforms, and their contributions were frequently appropriated without proper acknowledgment.
—Adrian Miller, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Nebraska lawmakers appropriated $628 million to get the project started.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Walz said most of the state’s money is not fungible and has been appropriated for other purposes.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
James Sample, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
In his signing statement, the President appropriated the arguments put forward by the bill’s champions.
—Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Many civilian employees at the base who are paid using funds appropriated by Congress have been furloughed and others that are deemed mission critical are currently working without pay.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2025
The money is there, appropriated.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, defense attorneys for criminal defendants who cannot afford lawyers have already seen months go by without pay due to an early depletion of funds appropriated for them, and plaintiffs challenging government policies have sometimes seen their cases slow down or grind to a halt.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2025
Many African American families lacked access to publishing platforms, and their contributions were frequently appropriated without proper acknowledgment.
—Adrian Miller, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Nebraska lawmakers appropriated $628 million to get the project started.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Walz said most of the state’s money is not fungible and has been appropriated for other purposes.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriated
Verb
-
The London punk rebels seized the revolutionary spirit of 1977 with their raw manifesto The Clash, then refined their sound with the flawed Give ‘Em Enough Rope.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Government security forces seized 1,764 tonnes of cocaine between August 2022 and November 2024, followed by a further 601 tonnes between January and August 2025.—
Gustavo Petro,
Time,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And at the country mansion of Blenheim Palace, where Winston Churchill was born, a thief stole a golden toilet in 2018.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
James notched his fifth and final score in the third quarter, and the Heights’ defense stole the show, preventing Paschal from scoring until late in the fourth quarter.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The property of citizens has been confiscated, there are floggings, and attacks.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
-
But before heading to the airport, fliers might want to brush up on Transportation Security Administration alcohol laws to avoid having any drinks confiscated at security.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The alligator is a symbol that is being misappropriated as a predator, but it’s known as a sacred guardian in the Everglades.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Dec. 2025
-
In early August, for example, NABU and SAPO exposed a criminal group of political, military, and business figures that had misappropriated funds allocated by local authorities for the purchase of drones and electronic warfare systems.—
DARIA KALENIUK,
Foreign Affairs,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Surprisingly usurped last year’s player of the season Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
-
But, in the United States, its role was usurped by Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, which made its début in 1828.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Sophomore forward Billy Richmond III swiped the ball away from sophomore guard Christian Anderson, tumbled to the floor and passed ahead to Acuff, who completed a three-point play after he was fouled by Lejuan Watts on the layup.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
13 Dec. 2025
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At the end of last week’s episode, the ladies’ investigation reached a real breakthrough when Julian swiped a cache of information related to Jacobson-Moore’s Australia retreat.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Seguin converted a fake punt for a first down late in the fourth — Polk to Smith — to move the ball to the 25.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
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The interior includes a forward cabin, private head and shower, and mid-cabin area that can be converted to a berth for guests.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Russia said the attack was retaliation for what Moscow claimed was a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence last month.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As the Ole Miss football team tried to win its national semifinal, the women's basketball team claimed one of the biggest wins in school history.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriated. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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