Synonyms of borrow

borrow

verb

ˈbär-(ˌ)ō 

as in to adopt

to take for one's own use (something originated by another)

borrowed the basic plot from a book of tales, but put her personal stamp on the story

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adopt
• embrace
• take up
• cultivate
• use
• assimilate
• take on
• utilize
• follow
• copy
• imitate
• incorporate
• pick up on
• espouse
• absorb
• quote
• usurp
• appropriate
• treasure
• honor
• cherish
• raise
• heed
• take over
• domesticate
• prize
• pretend
• assume
• affect
• naturalize
• arrogate
• simulate
• foster
• nurture
• put on
• bring up
• rear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandon
• relinquish
• forsake
• give up
• surrender
• reject
• disown
• renounce
• repudiate
• abjure
• spurn
• discard
• throw away
• jettison
• throw out
• abnegate
• junk

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of borrow

Their routine borrowed from the comedy team of Laurel and Hardy, including Hale looking straight into the camera in the way that Oliver Hardy had. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026

This continues the Grand Sport tradition of sticking with the entry-level engine while borrowing all the performance-minded upgrades from elsewhere in the Corvette line. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026

Economists see the federal budget deficit running at roughly a $2 trillion pace for years to come, which means the government will have to borrow an ever-increasing amount. — Greg Ritchie, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

The industry has borrowed the tactics of touring artists and fashion drops, promoting limited premium-format screenings and slinging special-edition popcorn buckets. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026