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
The method borrows from climate science, where attribution has been used for over two decades to determine how much of a heat wave or hurricane is explained by human activity.
—
John Drake, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Oh, and who could forget how the monstrosity known as Doomsday is turned into a Jekyll and Hyde paramedic named Davis Bloome (Sam Witwer), while Zod (Callum Blue) borrows a page out of Captain Howdy's playbook by possessing Lex's body.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 13 May 2026
Smith and Santana's complaint claims the movie borrows heavily from the real 2016 narcotics investigation by the Miami-Dade police department, in which officers discovered nearly $22 million in cash hidden inside a home.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The humanoid display also borrows durability and efficiency features from the company’s automotive OLED technology.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
What the Forward Edge Means The phrase borrows from military doctrine, where the forward edge marks the line where engagement is most intense.
—William Jones, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Critics say Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is hostile to Muslims in particular and borrows from the organization's Hindu nationalist ideology.
—Rob Schmitz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
When the government borrows more than the market expects, on the other hand, the Treasury may have to raise yields to sell the bonds.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
And, ultimately, being a writer who borrows from life is something that should be gone about in a considered way, because life matters.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2026
John Drake, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Oh, and who could forget how the monstrosity known as Doomsday is turned into a Jekyll and Hyde paramedic named Davis Bloome (Sam Witwer), while Zod (Callum Blue) borrows a page out of Captain Howdy's playbook by possessing Lex's body.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 13 May 2026
Smith and Santana's complaint claims the movie borrows heavily from the real 2016 narcotics investigation by the Miami-Dade police department, in which officers discovered nearly $22 million in cash hidden inside a home.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The humanoid display also borrows durability and efficiency features from the company’s automotive OLED technology.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
What the Forward Edge Means The phrase borrows from military doctrine, where the forward edge marks the line where engagement is most intense.
—William Jones, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Critics say Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is hostile to Muslims in particular and borrows from the organization's Hindu nationalist ideology.
—Rob Schmitz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
When the government borrows more than the market expects, on the other hand, the Treasury may have to raise yields to sell the bonds.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
And, ultimately, being a writer who borrows from life is something that should be gone about in a considered way, because life matters.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrows
Verb
-
You were nominated for lots of awards for playing Queenie, the woman who adopts Brad Pitt’s character, including Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 Oscars.—
Zak Cheney-Rice,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
If just one state adopts it, Moore said, it would be tested in court.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Slightly unsettled embraces the unfinished with clothing that’s imperfect.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
-
His music embraces vulnerability, exploring themes of heartbreak and isolation.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrows. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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