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
But De la Espriella borrows elements not just of policy, but political style from abroad.
—
Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
The quaint but stylish converted house is next door to Harry’s Fine Foods, a restaurant whose cozy indoor-outdoor porch belies its inventive menu that borrows influences ranging from the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia.
—Harry Cheadle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026
The main house, completed in 2022 by Fox Construction, borrows the soul of the farmhouse without inheriting any bad manners.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Digital design often borrows from familiar techniques.
—Gregory M. Dickinson, The Conversation, 18 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
Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
The quaint but stylish converted house is next door to Harry’s Fine Foods, a restaurant whose cozy indoor-outdoor porch belies its inventive menu that borrows influences ranging from the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia.
—Harry Cheadle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026
The main house, completed in 2022 by Fox Construction, borrows the soul of the farmhouse without inheriting any bad manners.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Digital design often borrows from familiar techniques.
—Gregory M. Dickinson, The Conversation, 18 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrows
Verb
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One minute, Oli is passing out at lunch from excessive drug use, the next he’s changed by a run-in with the small daughter of one of his clients, and adopts a dog that puts his life back on track.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
22 May 2026
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Din, meanwhile, officially adopts Grogu as his apprentice.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 May 2026
Verb
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With a laugh, the British native charmingly embraces any international dissonances in play.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
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Her latest collection, Storm, embraces life’s unpredictability with quiet defiance, capturing the beauty of surrender, movement and transformation.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrows. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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