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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Recent Examples of borrows
That’s the way of the football world — everybody borrows from each other.
—
David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
Retro design roots The cyberdeck borrows heavily from early mobile computing.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
Michelin darling Thomas Bühner has lent his name to a new concept, Taste, which borrows its tradition-meets-innovation concept from his three-star restaurant La Vie.
—Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
First introduced in 2019, the Tabby borrows from an archival 1970s design that’s quickly become one of the brand’s most recognizable styles.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025
Branding also borrows the more bold aesthetics of the Adizero line.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 5 Dec. 2025
Patagonia aims to solve that problem with the Durable parka, which has a 75-denier, ripstop nylon/polyester face fabric that borrows technology from their Workwear line and is significantly less prone to tears than other parkas.
—Jakob Schiller, Outside, 18 Nov. 2025
Although the trend borrows heavily from Ralph Lauren's holiday collections and overall aesthetic, the phrase Ralph Lauren Christmas really cemented itself online in late 2025.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 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
David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
Retro design roots The cyberdeck borrows heavily from early mobile computing.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
Michelin darling Thomas Bühner has lent his name to a new concept, Taste, which borrows its tradition-meets-innovation concept from his three-star restaurant La Vie.
—Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
First introduced in 2019, the Tabby borrows from an archival 1970s design that’s quickly become one of the brand’s most recognizable styles.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025
Branding also borrows the more bold aesthetics of the Adizero line.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 5 Dec. 2025
Patagonia aims to solve that problem with the Durable parka, which has a 75-denier, ripstop nylon/polyester face fabric that borrows technology from their Workwear line and is significantly less prone to tears than other parkas.
—Jakob Schiller, Outside, 18 Nov. 2025
Although the trend borrows heavily from Ralph Lauren's holiday collections and overall aesthetic, the phrase Ralph Lauren Christmas really cemented itself online in late 2025.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrows
Verb
-
The more affordable Linghui e5, based on the Qin Plus EV platform, adopts a single-motor setup focused on cost-efficient electrification for high-volume buyers.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
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The state’s Housing Development and Finance Committee could see an increase of funding, by $560 million from cap and trade revenue, if the Legislature adopts the proposal.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dabis embraces the conventions of melodrama with sombre grace.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
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And in a rare moment of humility and sincerity, Marty embraces and praises his opponent and wishes him well at the world championships.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrows. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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