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
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
This recipe borrows that same concept and scales it up to a Bundt pan size.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 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
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
This recipe borrows that same concept and scales it up to a Bundt pan size.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 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
-
District officials — typically Carvalho — have acknowledged a multibillion-dollar reserve but have insisted that ongoing commitments and declining revenue are on track to exhaust those reserves in about three years, unless the district adopts austerity measures.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
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The men who are in the legislature’s top leadership positions maul the budget the committee chaired by two diligent women adopts after weeks of hearings and deliberations.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The London-via-Paris jazz artist embraces her neo-soul leanings and experimental impulses on an EP that explores the pleasures and perils of gassing yourself up.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
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Continue reading … LEANING LEFT — MS NOW embraces liberal identity as network sheds straight news shows.—
,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrows. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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