co-opted

Definition of co-optednext
past tense of co-opt

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of co-opted 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 Which is clearly a metaphor for some sort of childhood trauma the filmmaker’s processing which co-opted his parental bonds as a young child. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for co-opted
Verb
  • Industrial-grade crossed roller bearings are integrated for high precision and load capacity.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Students also would have been able to post anonymous confessions, similar to the app YikYak, and Bell would have integrated with education technology products, such as Google Classroom.
    Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In 1907, that territory was incorporated into the new state of Oklahoma.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Crafted in a shiny fabric, the dress incorporated muted tones of pink, green and silver, evocative of the pastel color palette often associated with the Netflix series.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • She was assimilated into the suburban New England life in America.
    Benjamin VanHoose, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
  • New York was built by immigrants such as Italians, Irish and lately, Hispanics, many of whom assimilated into the fabric of the city and eventually became woven into the culture.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Co-opted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/co-opted. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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