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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of appropriated
One of the designs that Shein allegedly appropriated was a shirt from INAC’s Red Day Dress collection, which is designed to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit People.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Moreover, such a reassessment is supposed to consider these impacts in a larger environment of contemporary communication in order to trace instances of remediation too, namely, to reveal how characteristics of old media are replaced or appropriated and incorporated.
—Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
By 2010, Congress appropriated $19 million for the effort.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
The money hasn't been appropriated by Congress.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 22 May 2026
In 1987 the artist Magdalena Suarez Frimkess appropriated this darkly funny scene for a wall ceramic created with her late husband, Michael Frimkess.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The New York Review of Books, 22 May 2026
By state law, the legislature is supposed to fund 92% of those excess costs, but since 2011, the legislature has not appropriated enough to reach that mark.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Until congressional pressure was applied, the Pentagon recently stalled in providing Ukraine $400 million that had been appropriated.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
At issue is $700 million, already appropriated by Congress, to build a spacecraft, launch it to Mars, and once there to serve as a vehicle to relay communications between the red planet and Earth.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Moreover, such a reassessment is supposed to consider these impacts in a larger environment of contemporary communication in order to trace instances of remediation too, namely, to reveal how characteristics of old media are replaced or appropriated and incorporated.
—Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
By 2010, Congress appropriated $19 million for the effort.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
The money hasn't been appropriated by Congress.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 22 May 2026
In 1987 the artist Magdalena Suarez Frimkess appropriated this darkly funny scene for a wall ceramic created with her late husband, Michael Frimkess.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The New York Review of Books, 22 May 2026
By state law, the legislature is supposed to fund 92% of those excess costs, but since 2011, the legislature has not appropriated enough to reach that mark.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Until congressional pressure was applied, the Pentagon recently stalled in providing Ukraine $400 million that had been appropriated.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
At issue is $700 million, already appropriated by Congress, to build a spacecraft, launch it to Mars, and once there to serve as a vehicle to relay communications between the red planet and Earth.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriated
Verb
-
Liliana Escobar made sure the Lions seized it.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
During the search, police said investigators allegedly seized 30 grams worth of fentanyl pills, 12 grams of crack cocaine, several digital scales, a BB gun, and two 9mm rounds of ammunition.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The Office Romance actress stole the show at the Netflix film’s New York City premiere on June 2, dazzling in a naked illusion corset gown that covered her curves in dreamy blooms.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
Andujar reached on an infield single to start the fourth inning and stole second base on the final pitch of Jackson Merrill’s strikeout.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The Supreme Court released an 8-1 ruling allowing a lawsuit over property confiscated by the Cuban government to move forward.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
From the moment Lawrence had the first edition privately printed in Italy, American and British authorities confiscated copies that had been smuggled across their borders and secretly read the novel for pleasure.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
He was also accused of deceiving escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction condo deposits and then misappropriated those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the developments.—
Jay Weaver
June 6,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
-
The judge, however, said Monday that Ramco failed to offer evidence that Prasad misappropriated hospital funds.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Though its glam environs were eventually usurped by Hawaii’s many newer luxury resorts, an extensive renovation in 2008 gave the Mauna Kea an update without sacrificing its throwback charm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2026
-
After opting against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan last summer, Chelsea have stuck with Robert Sanchez as No 1 — bar a brief spell where Filip Jorgensen usurped him in March.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Separately, the administration swiped $35 million allocated to needy children and drug prevention to pay for efforts to kill that amendment and another legalizing marijuana.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Pinch runner Tyler Tolbert quickly swiped second.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Johan Neeskens converted the resulting penalty which was, for 23 minutes, the only one to be awarded in a World Cup final.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
The rest were converted into charter schools, demolished for university development or redeveloped as market-rate housing.—
Julia McWilliams,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
In an interview with The Mirror published on Thursday, May 21, royal author Andrew Lownie claimed that Fergie has found herself in a bit of a financial pickle and is begging the Firm for help.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
4 June 2026
-
Dolan claimed Oakley was verbally abusive.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriated. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
