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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of borrowing
That could make the central bank less likely to cut benchmark interest rates, meaning that the cost of borrowing money, for businesses and households, would remain higher than was thought even last month.
—
ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
If the cost of borrowing money keeps falling, affordability could improve, especially if home prices continue to drop.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
The Drive further ties into the Stakeout family by borrowing the Stakeout Spark's style of folding multi-plier chassis.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
Timotheé Chalamet has picked up a habit for borrowing Kylie Jenner’s mini Kelly.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borrowing
ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
If the cost of borrowing money keeps falling, affordability could improve, especially if home prices continue to drop.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
The Drive further ties into the Stakeout family by borrowing the Stakeout Spark's style of folding multi-plier chassis.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
Timotheé Chalamet has picked up a habit for borrowing Kylie Jenner’s mini Kelly.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borrowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrowing
Verb
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The legislature hurriedly endorsed the sale during a special session in 2024, adopting — without a public hearing — the enabling legislation needed to allow an unregulated, nonprofit company to buy a regulated water utility.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
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Animal Services asked for help either fostering, adopting or rescuing the dogs to free up kennel space.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That had several from the Heat embracing Howard after Thursday night’s close of the season series, including Spoelstra and Bam Adebayo.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
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Reviews have been mixed, with some critics embracing Gyllenhaal’s bold vision and others dismissing it as a whole lot of sound and fury, signifying zilch.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrowing. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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