1
as in seizes
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 steals
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 appropriates
Most legal scholars interpret this to mean that the president’s duty is to spend the money Congress appropriates, and that the president does not have the power to withhold funds.
—
Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Most legal scholars interpret this to mean that the President’s duty is to spend the money Congress appropriates, and that the President does not have the power to withhold funds.
—Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
In addition to the monthly BLS data on jobs and inflation, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, a federal agency housed inside the Commerce Department, said Wednesday it is required to suspend operations until Congress appropriates funding for this fiscal year.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
However, because capital appropriates the powers of living labor to itself, the distinctiveness of the latter is deeply obscured.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Braisted explained that the school district answers to the state, which appropriates most federal funding for MNPS.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
These words have different meanings in the context of AAVE, some say, and using them in a way that appropriates or stereotypes certain people groups strips away the importance of the original definitions.
—Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
The money that Congress appropriates to federal agencies each year is intended to be spent.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
The three branches are the legislative which makes laws and appropriates funds, the executive which enforces laws and implements public policy and the judicial which interprets laws and the constitution and applies those interpretations to legal disputes.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Most legal scholars interpret this to mean that the President’s duty is to spend the money Congress appropriates, and that the President does not have the power to withhold funds.
—Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
In addition to the monthly BLS data on jobs and inflation, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, a federal agency housed inside the Commerce Department, said Wednesday it is required to suspend operations until Congress appropriates funding for this fiscal year.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
However, because capital appropriates the powers of living labor to itself, the distinctiveness of the latter is deeply obscured.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Braisted explained that the school district answers to the state, which appropriates most federal funding for MNPS.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
These words have different meanings in the context of AAVE, some say, and using them in a way that appropriates or stereotypes certain people groups strips away the importance of the original definitions.
—Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
The money that Congress appropriates to federal agencies each year is intended to be spent.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
The three branches are the legislative which makes laws and appropriates funds, the executive which enforces laws and implements public policy and the judicial which interprets laws and the constitution and applies those interpretations to legal disputes.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriates
Verb
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Dolores notices they are gone and begins to lash out, and Abby seizes an opportunity to knock Dolores out.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … CRYPTO CRACKDOWN – DOJ seizes record $15 billion in Bitcoin in largest US forfeiture ever.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, the girl who steals pens, is a fan of Cardi B and John Cena, who partied so hard in college that her college advisor had to have a chat with her?—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Little Tokyo often steals the spotlight, but Gardena and Torrance’s Japanese American roots run just as deep.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jokic usurps Nurkic Jusuf Nurkic became Jokic’s first backup center in unceremonious fashion, getting benched by Michael Malone 25 games into his third season.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The bank’s regional headquarters occupies 40,000 square feet in the 29-story, 420,000-square-foot skyscraper.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
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Another popular recommendation was Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically the Bosnia region, which occupies the northern and central parts of the country.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After Grace quotes Zooey Deschanel's character, Thames grabs her face and kisses her out of the frame.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Another strong Lions performance could mark a turning point this season where Detroit grabs control of the division and doesn't look back.—
Nick Meyer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the State Department commandeers the West Virginia hotel to house Axis diplomats in the wake of Pearl Harbor, June realizes that nothing will ever be the same again.—
AudioFile Magazine
August 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) preempts states from enacting laws that conflict with ERISA on regulated benefit plans.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Story editing is a form of self-talk that preempts your under-estimator from seizing control with its bludgeoning feedback.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The program was created by an aviation enthusiast with the call-sign Goronych and converts single-seater planes into rudimentary but effective long-range missiles.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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The chip converts this light into electrical signals, which in turn stimulate the retina and transmit visual information to the brain, allowing patients to perceive shapes and patterns once lost to vision impairment.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Appropriates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriates. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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