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
Relevance
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
The state appropriates within its budget to ensure bond holders know the state has the money, but the state hasn’t had to use that money because the admissions tax and tax district have funded the bond, Huston said.
—
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
The lawsuit argues the freeze violated federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional limits on executive power and how Congress appropriates funds.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The state appropriates funds for the voucher program at the beginning of the fiscal year and then seeks federal reimbursement.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
But November's benefits have been disrupted due to a lack of funding deal from Congress, which appropriates the federal funds for the program.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Typically, Congress passes a budget that appropriates money for the next fiscal year to federal agencies.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 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, 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
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
The lawsuit argues the freeze violated federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional limits on executive power and how Congress appropriates funds.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The state appropriates funds for the voucher program at the beginning of the fiscal year and then seeks federal reimbursement.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
But November's benefits have been disrupted due to a lack of funding deal from Congress, which appropriates the federal funds for the program.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Typically, Congress passes a budget that appropriates money for the next fiscal year to federal agencies.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 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, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriates
Verb
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Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Like any well-meaning grifter, Anna (Halle Bailey) seizes the opportunity to hop a flight to picturesque Tuscany after meeting a handsome Italian stranger with an empty villa.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Flagg — the only player this season to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals — and Edgecombe showed their franchises that their futures are in good hands.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The previous movie focused on a rich playboy who steals art.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The children designated as Palestinians, meanwhile, have their drawings torn up and are relegated to small corners of the classroom while the teacher confiscates their candy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Milwaukee Marshall High School confiscates a student’s phone until the end of the day for a first offense, requires a parent pickup after a second offense and issues an automatic suspension for repeat violations.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After witnessing Sinner miss 16 break points against the same opponent on Friday, Alcaraz would have been forgiven for worrying that something similar might happen to him — especially against arguably tennis’s greatest escape artist, at least until the Spaniard usurps him.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
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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By focussing on female characters, Jude invites sympathy for individuals who are structurally less empowered than their male peers, just as Romania occupies a position of weakness in relation to its European neighbors.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The election was closely watched in countries around Europe and beyond, which is a testament to the outsize role Orban occupies in far-right populist politics worldwide.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Keep those rosary beads handy whenever Aaron Gordon grabs his hammy.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Maya Hawke grabs her guitar and gets in front of the mic at the SiriusXM Studios in New York City on April 13.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The service Bjorn commandeers a small team, and often doubles up as bartender, concierge, and sauna turn-oner.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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In the middle of the stuffy reception, Jenny commandeers the A/V system, blasting punk rock while a squad of models, clad in her early-aughts emo designs, climb on tables.—
Matthew Huff,
Vanity Fair,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Mississippi appealed a lower court ruling that found federal law preempts the statute, but several conservative justices expressed concern that counting ballots late could undermine faith in elections.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
24 Mar. 2026
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Republicans and Libertarians told the court that federal election law preempts Mississippi from counting ballots that arrive up to five days after polls close as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriates. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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