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
This new vessel borrows DNA from the Jiaolong and Deep Sea Warrior, the country’s record-breaking scientific deep-sea submersibles.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Beauty of Joseon borrows from that history but gives it a modern spin, blending classic botanicals with modern ingredients that feel easy to layer into a routine.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
While the traditional pageboy bob is a bit shorter (usually skimming the jaw, à la Hadid’s recent chop), Margot Robbie’s version borrows its unstructured shape and soft layering.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
What is the truth, what is the lie, and how photography historically borrows the sense of truth and reality in order to tell lies, in order to seduce people to do things.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Virtually all of Kin borrows its distortion and unstable vibrations, making the new record a far less soothing listen than its predecessor.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026
Advertisement In a moment when politics increasingly borrows the aesthetics of culture, clarity counts.
—Debbie Millman, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
The plan, unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee, borrows from changes made in the public-school system after the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
The plan, which was unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee, borrows from changes made in the public-school system after the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Beauty of Joseon borrows from that history but gives it a modern spin, blending classic botanicals with modern ingredients that feel easy to layer into a routine.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
While the traditional pageboy bob is a bit shorter (usually skimming the jaw, à la Hadid’s recent chop), Margot Robbie’s version borrows its unstructured shape and soft layering.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
What is the truth, what is the lie, and how photography historically borrows the sense of truth and reality in order to tell lies, in order to seduce people to do things.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Virtually all of Kin borrows its distortion and unstable vibrations, making the new record a far less soothing listen than its predecessor.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026
Advertisement In a moment when politics increasingly borrows the aesthetics of culture, clarity counts.
—Debbie Millman, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
The plan, unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee, borrows from changes made in the public-school system after the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
The plan, which was unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee, borrows from changes made in the public-school system after the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrows
Verb
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Nobody adopts a technology intended to replace them.—
Alex Stephany,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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The entire document and all its provisions, however, will only take effect if Congress adopts them into legislation and passes them into law.—
Hayden Field,
The Verge,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now 39, Horford embraces his role as a mentor for his younger countrymen and those coming from the rest of Latin America.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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When the Sun embraces Saturn in your 12th House of Conceptualization, quiet work becomes powerful.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrows. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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