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
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
Congress appropriates annual funds for almost all other federal agencies.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Congress appropriates money to provide for the services that the public needs and demands.
—Dyana Mason, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2025
The House budget proposal put forth on January 22 appropriates $1 billion in funding for the new ESA program, signaling that school choice is a high priority for Speaker Burrows and his House colleagues.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Unlike many other states, New Mexico’s legislature directly appropriates operating revenue to the athletic departments of its two FBS schools, NMSU and the University of New Mexico.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
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
Congress appropriates annual funds for almost all other federal agencies.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Congress appropriates money to provide for the services that the public needs and demands.
—Dyana Mason, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2025
The House budget proposal put forth on January 22 appropriates $1 billion in funding for the new ESA program, signaling that school choice is a high priority for Speaker Burrows and his House colleagues.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Unlike many other states, New Mexico’s legislature directly appropriates operating revenue to the athletic departments of its two FBS schools, NMSU and the University of New Mexico.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriates
Verb
-
Suddenly, the Thursday Murder Club seizes an opportunity and leaps from the cold case realm into a very hot murder investigation.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
During a physical confrontation, Matheo forces Saskia to retreat, and Sylvie seizes the opportunity to grab Saskia’s gun.—
Time,
Time,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Rachel McAdams is terrific as Margaret’s mom, balancing ambition and self-doubt, while Oscar-winner Kathy Bates steals the show (big surprise) as the fiercely loving grandmother.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
His latest is the story of a teenager who steals his driving instructor’s car in order to visit his girlfriend in college.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Where to stay Renovated in 2021, the Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou occupies the 20th–38th floors of a tower only steps from the Pearl River.—
Mae Hamilton,
AFAR Media,
9 Sep. 2025
-
McCormick occupies District 1, which is fully within Johnson's 4th Congressional District.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As fans scramble to catch the ball, footage shows, the ball appears to land one row in front of a woman while a man runs over and grabs it.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
-
With City’s left-back, Matheus Nunes, moving out of position to press Mainoo, Ugarte’s involvement grabs the attention of Ilkay Gundogan and Josko Gvardiol.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Under state law, the legislature currently preempts all authority of a home rule charter or city government to regulate firearms and ammunition.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The digestive process in the stomach and intestines breaks down or converts food into glucose.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Here is the emphasis on the hardscrabble beginnings and obstacles to be overcome, here is the recognition of a truly raw but once-in-a-lifetime talent that converts the nonbelivers, here are the early wins and the training montages and the tragedies and the comebacks.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Appropriates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriates. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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