as in integrated
to make a part of a body or system
the national organization co-opted many formerly independent local groups
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Recent Examples of co-opted
Carnival has been co-opted by—and used to promote the philosophies of—various movements, from the Protestant Reformation to National Socialism.
—
Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
But invariably, these calls are co-opted by conservatives to demonize those on the short end of the stick.
—Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
But vigilante movements in Mexico historically get co-opted by rival cartels or massacred, creating a dangerous spiral that could worsen after recent cartel leadership deaths.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
But invariably, these calls are co-opted by conservatives to demonize those on the short end of the stick.
—Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
But vigilante movements in Mexico historically get co-opted by rival cartels or massacred, creating a dangerous spiral that could worsen after recent cartel leadership deaths.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for co-opted
Verb
-
In addition to technical work, the programme has integrated digital design tools through a new Product Lifecycle Management system and expanded its supplier base to over 500 companies, with 83 percent based in the UK.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The diamonds are subtle, integrated into the design rather than sitting on top.—
Stephen Watson,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The model Act underwent several updates over the years, and its fourth edition developed in 2023 is being incorporated into the Florida Nonprofit Corporation Act with this legislation.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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Akbar had already incorporated Hindus into the Mughal military and administrative system and abolished the jizyah (a poll tax historically levied on non-Muslims under Islamic law) as part of a policy of inclusion.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The growth of colonial Australian society came at the expense of the Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who were often dispossessed of their land, exposed to foreign diseases, and either pushed into marginal areas or forcibly assimilated into European culture.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Co-opted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/co-opted. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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