1
2
as in to evict
to end the occupancy or possession of the state will have to expropriate scores of homeowners in order to build the new road

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to confiscate
to take ownership or control of (something) by right of one's authority plans by the city to expropriate entire blocks of houses in order to bulldoze them for expansion of the airport

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 expropriate The government now uses the law as a weapon to expropriate property from bona fide owners, including those previously seen as regime supporters. Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025 No land has been expropriated, but Afrikaners who make up many rural communities have raised fears that their land might be targeted. Gerald Imray, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025 His cardinal sin was nationalizing (not expropriating) the hugely profitable Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in 1951 which British Prime Minister Winston Churchill postulated was integral to the British Navy. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2025 However, a law passed by South Africa earlier this year does not allow land to be expropriated without an agreement with the owner. Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate
Verb
  • Corporate executives in the technology sector, eager to curry favor, seized on the talking point.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 15 Aug. 2025
  • To offer a personal example, early in my career at a Hollywood studio, physical presence in a collaborative office was a valuable part of my learning — and gave me opportunities to seize unspoken opportunities.
    Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • How did the Big Brother Season 27 houseguests vote in Week 4? Votes to evict Kelley: Rachel, Ashley Votes to evict Jimmy: Morgan, Rylie, Keanu, Katherine, Vince, Will, Ava, Zach, Laura Who was evicted from Big Brother Season 27 in Week 4?
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The book also reported that William has been trying for years to get Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, evicted from the Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion the former couple live in on the Windsor Castle grounds.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Desert Diamond Arena may confiscate items that could cause danger or disruption or are in breach of building policies.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Police confiscated his firearm, interviewed him, and—on the advice of the Harris County District Attorney's Office—released him without a charge.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Importantly, many organizations are beholden to either a single plan design, or designs that have long been usurped by new regime plans with substantially greater optics and efficiencies.
    Jim Hebets, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • His wife, Meredith, son, Bennett, and his faith all usurp his day job.
    Max Rego, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • The goal of bringing a case against a company like Google is to stop the anti-competitive behavior, deprive it of the fruits of its violations, and make sure markets are competitive going forward.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The intent was to deprive the Kremlin of revenue to fund its war in Ukraine, forcing the Russian government either to sell its oil at a discount or divert money for a costly alternative shipping network.
    Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The gaming community was hit with another delay of Grand Theft Auto 6 earlier this year and that means those who were hoping to spend the fall months stealing cars and evading the police are needing something to fill that void.
    Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The Thunder star and Converse stole the show that weekend, making their presence felt all over the city with signage and an epic pop-up that gave fans a first look at the SHAI 001 in person.
    Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In The Stolen Heart, Samson sees Red Army soldiers violently dispossessing a middle-class family on that same street.
    Uilleam Blacker, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
  • Under apartheid, Black South Africans were forcibly dispossessed of their lands for the benefit of Whites.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Four prisoners had to take turns using a bunk bed just to grab a few hours of sleep.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • But Sunday, unfortunately for him, slipped away quickly as World No. 1 grabbed his fifth season title.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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