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
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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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriating
Verb
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Her business is seizing the moment as AI radically transforms workflows, including that of lawyers, but her initial passion for the career came much earlier in life.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
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Targeting property Iran’s judiciary has begun seizing the property of public figures critical of the country’s rulers, under an anti-espionage law approved during last year’s 12-day war with Israel that punishes media and cultural activities deemed to support Iran’s enemies.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Melrose, Massachusetts attorney Henry Rappa is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a couple who hired him to handle a major family inheritance.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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His exasperated wife, Lili, gets a classic Lucy Punch-up from the veteran scene-stealing British actress (Jingle Bell Heist).—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The sisters’ mother, Vesta Louis, told Politico this week that federal investigators raided both of their homes in simultaneous operations on March 23, confiscating their cellphones and other electronics.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
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While Tehran is being bombarded, the regime’s security forces have been stationed at checkpoints across the city, searching civilians and confiscating their phones.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One of the things that's gone really wrong in America is this gas station/convenience store/fast food restaurant that is usurping small town America.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
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By January 2025, Szczesny had become manager Hansi Flick’s No 1 choice in goal, putting together a string of solid performances and usurping Inaki Pena in the role.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kyla Oldacre led Texas with 11 points off the bench while grabbing seven rebounds.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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The victim listed in the police records later told police about two incidents of physical assault, including grabbing, scratching, shoving and striking, according to the documents.—
Meriam Bouarrouj,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most of the trouble on this night came from starter Ryan Johnson’s inability to find the strike zone and the defense’s problems converting two plays that should have been made.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
31 Mar. 2026
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The now 36-year-old Dane, who made his fortune as an early investor in Joe & the Juice, and his partner Emilie Green Novél set about converting the former village marketplace into a hotel where 18 rooms frame a courtyard.—
Selina Denman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Based on simple human longevity, the typical retiree will collect the most benefits in the long run by claiming the largest possible monthly check.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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During the course of the bribery-kickback scheme, Joseph aided in the filing of false tax returns by claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars in false business deductions.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriating. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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