as in adopting
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of borrowing
The newest Air Jordan is taking a tour throughout the series’ history by borrowing elements from past models, including the Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan 14, Air Jordan 16, Air Jordan 20 and Air Jordan 23.
—
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Politicians are borrowing Rehmet’s pro-labor messaging Looking toward the March 3 primary, Rottinghaus said this is the first time in a generation that laborers make up a significant part of the ballot from either party.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
Paying the tax typically requires selling assets or borrowing against them, triggering capital gains taxes, leverage risks, and further distortions.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
This means that pairs of particles—a particle and its antimatter partner—can briefly come into being by borrowing energy from nothing.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borrowing
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Politicians are borrowing Rehmet’s pro-labor messaging Looking toward the March 3 primary, Rottinghaus said this is the first time in a generation that laborers make up a significant part of the ballot from either party.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
Paying the tax typically requires selling assets or borrowing against them, triggering capital gains taxes, leverage risks, and further distortions.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
This means that pairs of particles—a particle and its antimatter partner—can briefly come into being by borrowing energy from nothing.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrowing
Verb
-
His campaign website emphasizes strengthening federal wildfire suppression, adopting Medicare for All and fixing water shortages.—
Mathew Miranda
February 14,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The property tax rate and adopting the annual budget are among the County Commission’s most important responsibilities.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The couple—who got engaged last summer—stepped out for the 2026 Berlinale Film Festival last night; this time, looking equally loved up but embracing complete polar-opposite fashions.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Long before viewers began embracing the footage, however, organizers needed athletes to get on board, with Exarchos calling their safety his top priority.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrowing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
