1
as in seizing
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 stealing
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 appropriating
The Salesman was a story about a woman attacked as a metaphor for a blindsided country, the director brilliantly re-appropriating the ultimate American drama Death of a Salesman to make the point.
—
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
When that happened in 2007, Chevron entered a deal to continue operating in the country, but ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil departed, accusing the Venezuelan government of unfairly appropriating billions in assets.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
But Huddleston disagreed, saying the charter governs spending money but doesn’t apply to merely appropriating it.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
Trump expressly declared that appropriating Venezuela’s enormous oil reserves justified regime change.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Before springing for that Mandala or Celtic knot design, make sure to read up on its meaning to avoid appropriating any cultural or spiritual themes.
—Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 11 Dec. 2025
Some might be offended by an upstart office appropriating the hallowed Blue nickname.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
Legislative leaders are considering appropriating the money during a special session next month.
—The Npr Network, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
While some fans were thrilled to see the return of a Snapchat filter, matte-lip sporting Jenner, others were less enchanted, calling the reality star out for appropriating Black culture.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
When that happened in 2007, Chevron entered a deal to continue operating in the country, but ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil departed, accusing the Venezuelan government of unfairly appropriating billions in assets.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
But Huddleston disagreed, saying the charter governs spending money but doesn’t apply to merely appropriating it.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
Trump expressly declared that appropriating Venezuela’s enormous oil reserves justified regime change.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Before springing for that Mandala or Celtic knot design, make sure to read up on its meaning to avoid appropriating any cultural or spiritual themes.
—Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 11 Dec. 2025
Some might be offended by an upstart office appropriating the hallowed Blue nickname.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
Legislative leaders are considering appropriating the money during a special session next month.
—The Npr Network, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
While some fans were thrilled to see the return of a Snapchat filter, matte-lip sporting Jenner, others were less enchanted, calling the reality star out for appropriating Black culture.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriating
Verb
-
Ukraine accused Hungary’s pro-Russian government of taking the Ukrainians hostage and illegally seizing millions of dollars in cash.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The same thing happened in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Newcastle, with O’Brien seizing on Dan Burn’s clearing header.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to her arrest affidavit, after stealing the truck and being stopped, Giza struck two occupied police vehicles and accelerated toward uniformed officers on foot.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Others are stealing real PTINs from preparers and filing fraudulent returns using those credentials.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now the city wants more tools to expand its limited enforcement options, which would start with warnings, then fines and may include confiscating food, equipment and carts found in violation of city ordinance and health codes.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Video of the incident shows a CBP officer confiscating the handgun shortly before other agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.—
Paul Kiefer,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
-
He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Wembanyama had back-to-back dunks in the second quarter, including grabbing his own miss and throwing it down for what became a three-point play on a foul by Javonte Green.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Brigham is also charged with assaulting a man by grabbing and twisting his genitals.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a few weeks, this site will be Pacific Electric, a new 750-capacity music venue that Lovett and his venue-developer firm TVG Hospitality have been converting for six years.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
For the old school crowd, that means teams are converting on 42 percent of their power plays over Vancouver’s last 21 games.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Times sued the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December, claiming the credentialing policy violates the journalists’ constitutional rights to free speech and due process.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The Times sued the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December, claiming the credentialing policy violates the journalists’ constitutional rights to free speech and due process.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriating. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
