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

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

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

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

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

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

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