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
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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
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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
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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
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The property of citizens has been confiscated, there are floggings, and attacks.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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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
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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
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She is also accused of misappropriated the victim’s money at least 45 times from June 2021 through November 2022, Gerace added.—
Fox19 staff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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No Blue Jay has usurped Carter in that category this October.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
In September, the company's Cofounder and Chairman Larry Ellison briefly usurped Elon Musk as the world's richest person, according to a Bloomberg ranking, with a majority of the 81-year-old’s $400 billion net worth tied to Oracle.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2023, a statue of a warrior riding a horse that symbolizes the sister city relationship between San Jose and Pune, India, was swiped from Guadalupe River Park.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
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Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has been under glass since the 1950s, but not so in 1911, when Vincenzo Perrugia, a former museum staffer, hid in a cupboard overnight, then swiped what is now the world’s most famous painting and walked out with it under his coat.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
20 Oct. 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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Sam Altman, of OpenAI, has claimed that generative AI could bring about the end of human civilization, and that AI poses a risk of extinction on a par with nuclear warfare and global pandemics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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In his lawsuit, Vianello claimed that the local ordinance that allowed the city to issue nearly $30 million in general obligation bonds to fund the construction and renovations violates the Kansas Constitution and statutory requirements for a bond election.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Appropriated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriated. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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