as in integrated
to make a part of a body or system
the national organization co-opted many formerly independent local groups
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of co-opted
Loosen up, and be patriotic without fear that something like the American flag or Pledge of Allegiance has been co-opted by conservatives.
—
Meg Kinnard, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
Rebellion is co-opted into pro-capitalism sloganeering.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2026
This time, instead of pulling out another clever weapon, Peter walks straight towards his partner, insisting that Hagan has co-opted him for a dirty cause.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 19 Feb. 2026
New Balance is no stranger to having its running footwear co-opted as lifestyle sneakers by style-savvy consumers, but basketball shoes are a far tougher egg to crack — and that goes for any brand.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 Feb. 2026
And it’s only gotten harder, because in America our current government has quite purposefully and cynically co-opted a lot of conspiratorial thinking to muddy the waters to further their own cultural and political project.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The event was co-opted as a starring vehicle for the president with acolytes as co-stars.
—Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Liberation is funny, poignant and, yes, liberating in its expression of the very human need for justice and freedom in an era when those words have been co-opted by forces who value only self-enrichment.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Assad’s government was dominated by Alawites and systematically privileged and co-opted both its own group and certain other minority communities, including, at times, the Druze (although no group was, or is, monolithic in its allegiances).
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Meg Kinnard, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
Rebellion is co-opted into pro-capitalism sloganeering.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2026
This time, instead of pulling out another clever weapon, Peter walks straight towards his partner, insisting that Hagan has co-opted him for a dirty cause.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 19 Feb. 2026
New Balance is no stranger to having its running footwear co-opted as lifestyle sneakers by style-savvy consumers, but basketball shoes are a far tougher egg to crack — and that goes for any brand.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 Feb. 2026
And it’s only gotten harder, because in America our current government has quite purposefully and cynically co-opted a lot of conspiratorial thinking to muddy the waters to further their own cultural and political project.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The event was co-opted as a starring vehicle for the president with acolytes as co-stars.
—Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Liberation is funny, poignant and, yes, liberating in its expression of the very human need for justice and freedom in an era when those words have been co-opted by forces who value only self-enrichment.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Assad’s government was dominated by Alawites and systematically privileged and co-opted both its own group and certain other minority communities, including, at times, the Druze (although no group was, or is, monolithic in its allegiances).
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for co-opted
Verb
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Flashbacks and memories are seamlessly integrated into the film as Grace recalls them, and the audience grows eager to unpack the mysteries of the film and the mission at its center.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2026
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Both hybrid systems use Stellantis engines and have been integrated to meet the company’s own standards and driving dynamics, according to two sources with the automaker.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Reznor and Atticus Ross, his longtime collaborator, created a show that incorporated not just a wide range of hits and album tracks, but did so with innovative staging and lighting design.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
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Another example is the award-winning Larkin Center, which incorporated apartments, duplexes and flats within an existing single-family residential neighborhood.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His steely aide-de-camp, Mauricio Corredor (also based on a historical figure), is of Rarámuri heritage but has assimilated into Mexican culture.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
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She was assimilated into the suburban New England life in America.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Co-opted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/co-opted. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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