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
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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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriating
Verb
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Bianco also faces scrutiny for seizing more than 650,000 election ballots in what critics call a baseless fraud investigation.—
Hailey Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
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Four protesters are suing to stop the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from seizing DNA samples from Americans arrested while peacefully protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Avedian said that the issue is not just about people stealing identities or social security numbers; the danger to the consumer is much greater.—
Amy Corral,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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At the moment, however, AI is merely stealing from us all.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Sunday morning's incident follows the NYPD confiscating vehicles and making arrests last month related to a meet-up in Maspeth, Queens, where fire was involved.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
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His first exhibition in 1963 reportedly caused a stir, with a vice squad identifying pornography in at least two of his paintings and confiscating them.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Hegseth and Feinberg, Phelan said, had imposed rigid control over submarine and shipbuilding decisions, effectively usurping the Navy’s authority, these people said.—
Dan Lamothe,
Washington Post,
2 May 2026
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One wonders how long the citizens of those communities are going to put up with the state usurping their authority to govern themselves.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The driver who picked up the goods told FT that grabbing items in the location takes roughly five minutes, while the same trip to a Walmart Supercenter store could take 25 minutes.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
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The Limitless Lash Mascara is especially worth grabbing while it’s marked down.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, known for blending contemporary design with natural materials, light, and traditional Japanese craftsmanship, is converting a traditional former teahouse in Kyoto into an ultra-private residence.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
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One contentious issue confronting Homeland Security now is a plan for converting warehouses into immigrant detention centers.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Right-wing figures claiming to have been barred include Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
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The Steelers won four of their final five games, claiming the AFC North title with a thrilling Week 18 victory over the Ravens; Rodgers played many of his best games when the team needed them most.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriating. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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