as in adopts
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 borrows
The bond tax will likely increase as the district borrows more money to finance construction of a new seismically sound hospital tower for patient rooms.
—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Come next year, the trio will open doors on a new Italian American steakhouse concept that borrows its name from that popular phrase, Spacca Tutto, in the anchor spot formerly occupied by The Draycott.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
In this case, Palazzolo borrows from another artist who shares the same irreverence for societal norms, all while questioning our society’s worship of labor.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Teams could also win their way into, and lose their way out of, the league’s remaining spots, which borrows from the relegation and promotion model that is central to European soccer leagues.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
The Lydia dress, which borrows the look of more contemporary pieces from the Royal Ballet, used the same hem circumference measurement as the company’s dresses.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
This frame borrows from Bernhard’s tailspin of a novel, set entirely in a narcissist’s armchair.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
With a boho top This denim trend borrows heavily from the bohemian look, so why not lean into it everywhere else?
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Come next year, the trio will open doors on a new Italian American steakhouse concept that borrows its name from that popular phrase, Spacca Tutto, in the anchor spot formerly occupied by The Draycott.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
In this case, Palazzolo borrows from another artist who shares the same irreverence for societal norms, all while questioning our society’s worship of labor.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Teams could also win their way into, and lose their way out of, the league’s remaining spots, which borrows from the relegation and promotion model that is central to European soccer leagues.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
The Lydia dress, which borrows the look of more contemporary pieces from the Royal Ballet, used the same hem circumference measurement as the company’s dresses.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
This frame borrows from Bernhard’s tailspin of a novel, set entirely in a narcissist’s armchair.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
With a boho top This denim trend borrows heavily from the bohemian look, so why not lean into it everywhere else?
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrows
Verb
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Consider a university that adopts an institutional neutrality policy.—
Jimmy Wales,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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Saying goodbye to wholesale, Lo’s spring 2026 collection adopts a bespoke model as the range puts a big focus on craftsmanship and exclusivity.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With that goal in mind, Dijkstra has constructed a scheme to ensure that King Radovid stops drinking and sulking over Jaskier and embraces his role as one of the few remaining leaders who can oppose Emhyr’s army.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Creating an emotional throughline for a film that embraces the lyrical, dreamlike quality of its title gave composer Bryce Dessner enough of a challenge to disrupt how composers usually create a movie score.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Borrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrows. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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