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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriating
Verb
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Last month, police raided the teen’s home on Creekside Drive, seizing $1,300 in cash and a box containing packages of edible cannabis products, which were similar to what the girl allegedly ingested, authorities said.
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These stories emphasize that skill, belief, and groundwork are crucial for seizing opportunities, proving that true breakthroughs are built on long-term preparation.
Verb
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As the berries begin to ripen, cover the pots with netting to keep birds and other animals from stealing your harvest.
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The technology’s ability to reduce theft and fraud is especially intriguing, given the crimes are not generally a person or group simply stealing freight.
Verb
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As Israeli authorities begin confiscating their land, personal tensions collide with political pressure.
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In New York state social studies classes, communism and socialism are presented as two economic systems that make things more equal and fair, with no historical references to the atrocities committed by socialist and communist regimes confiscating property.
Verb
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The opposition’s narrative that Hollywood is usurping home rule is entirely backward.
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But even with the UFC’s challenges, no rival promotion has come close to usurping the sport’s power dynamic.
Verb
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The video then shows the woman throwing Martinez to the ground, grabbing her by the hair and repeatedly attacking her as bystanders try to step in and help.
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According to Sangrio, the video appears to show Matthew Cox, O'Toole's then-attendant, striking the 60-year-old with a broom, punching him and grabbing him by the neck.
Verb
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Japan's Daizen Maeda broke through in the 59th minute, converting feeds from teammates Ayase Ueda and Ritsu Doan.
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Its focus is on converting and owning the datasets, Manish Agarwal, co-founder of Humyn Labs, told CNBC.
Verb
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Next, Texas fought Mexico for its independence, and for a decade beginning in 1836 the Republic of Texas flew its own Lone Star flag in the Paso del Norte, claiming El Paso and part of southern New Mexico.
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Moscow has long portrayed UPA fighters as murderers and Nazi collaborators, and has accused Zelenskyy of being an heir to this legacy, falsely claiming that his government is overrun by Nazis as a pretext for its full-scale invasion.
Cite this Entry
“Appropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriating. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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