Synonyms of appropriating

appropriating

verb

present participle of appropriate

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

• seizing
• confiscating
• stealing
• usurping
• grabbing
• converting
• claiming
• occupying
• annexing
• commandeering
• preempting
• arrogating
• pirating
• expropriating
• assuming
• invading
• snatching
• taking over
• attaching
• pressing
• looting
• impounding
• repossessing
• misappropriating
• sequestering
• grasping
• despoiling
• encroaching
• misusing
• infringing
• pillaging
• misapplying
• trespassing
• embezzling
• wresting
• collaring
• preoccupying
• wrenching
• peculating

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

• stealing
• misappropriating
• swiping
• grabbing
• pilfering
• lifting
• filching
• robbing
• purloining
• snatching
• pocketing
• thieving
• nicking
• pinching
• hooking
• snitching
• nipping
• boosting
• ripping off
• hijacking
• taking
• making off with
• running off with
• making away with
• seizing
• picking
• plundering
• heisting
• walking off with
• looting
• pillaging
• sacking
• burglarizing
• knocking over
• grasping
• poaching
• rustling
• nailing
• rifling
• shoplifting
• abducting
• spiriting
• sponging
• collaring
• mooching
• kidnapping
• carjacking
• shanghaiing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buying
• purchasing
• giving
• presenting
• contributing
• bestowing
• donating
• handing over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of appropriating

On the night Republicans approved the legislation in the Senate, Graham accused Democrats of obstructing the normal bipartisan process for appropriating federal money. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 July 2026

Instead, Angwin claims that Grammarly infringed the privacy and publicity rights of her and many other authors by appropriating their names and identities for commercial purposes without consent. — Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 2026

In 2021, the Minnetonka shoe company apologized for culturally appropriating Native American culture, and committed to supporting the community. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 May 2026

At first glance, the pairing might seem like an unconventional one, even though both artists are well known for appropriating others’ images. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026

The Legislature is appropriating $5 million in one-time funding to put toward the fund. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026

During Akbar’s conquest of the Malwa region in India, Adham Khan was accused of under-reporting the spoils of the war and appropriating much of it for his own use. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

On Friday, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced the City Council had passed a resolution appropriating up to $900,000 in grant funding to restore the Police Department's cadet program in an effort to boost recruiting numbers. — Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Unlike war powers resolutions, which in this case would limit military action after the fact, new spending cannot occur until Congress writes and passes legislation appropriating additional funds. — Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026