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 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
The model borrows from the early-stage start-up strategy of throwing ideas against the wall, hoping consumers will quickly say no to the loser ideas, and graduating winners to the main business.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The restaurant seats about 215 people at the moment, and borrows a similar look and feel from its sister on the Plaza.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
For dessert, enjoy a cappuccino with a slice of the New York-style cheesecake, made using Lysek’s grandmother’s recipe, from whom the restaurant borrows its namesake.
—Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2026
The Red collection borrows bold reds from the Timberland archives, referencing the 2013 collection celebrating the brand’s 40th anniversary in which the color was launched.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead of printing and firing metal paste, this approach borrows techniques from the semiconductor industry, relying on thin seed layers, precise patterning, and electrochemical deposition.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
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
The model borrows from the early-stage start-up strategy of throwing ideas against the wall, hoping consumers will quickly say no to the loser ideas, and graduating winners to the main business.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The restaurant seats about 215 people at the moment, and borrows a similar look and feel from its sister on the Plaza.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
For dessert, enjoy a cappuccino with a slice of the New York-style cheesecake, made using Lysek’s grandmother’s recipe, from whom the restaurant borrows its namesake.
—Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2026
The Red collection borrows bold reds from the Timberland archives, referencing the 2013 collection celebrating the brand’s 40th anniversary in which the color was launched.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead of printing and firing metal paste, this approach borrows techniques from the semiconductor industry, relying on thin seed layers, precise patterning, and electrochemical deposition.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrows
Verb
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Lost, Helen adopts a goshawk and throws herself into the world of big bird ownership, gloves and all.—
Adam Graham,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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Most damningly, Smith stubbornly adopts a conventional approach to decidedly unconventional material.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Wayne Gretzky Distillery’s Maple Cask Whisky, named Blended Whisky of the Year, embraces cask influence to create a distinctly Canadian profile.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The spa The resort’s spa embraces water to create an oasis-like environment that contrasts with the arid environment outside.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrows. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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