1
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
dissidents were shot, and their lands expropriated under his regime
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of expropriate
The few Jews remaining in Venezuela are reluctant to speak publicly about the situation, especially given recent government threats to expropriate Jewish properties in Caracas — not to mention the country’s strong relationships with Iran and Hezbollah.
—
Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
However, under Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan government expropriated assets from some American oil companies after the country nationalized oil fields in 2007.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2025
The facilities, some of which were built by Havana Docks, had been expropriated without compensation in 1960.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
After the 1959 revolution, the state expropriated the ground floor.
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
However, under Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan government expropriated assets from some American oil companies after the country nationalized oil fields in 2007.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2025
The facilities, some of which were built by Havana Docks, had been expropriated without compensation in 1960.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
After the 1959 revolution, the state expropriated the ground floor.
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate
Verb
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In San Mateo County, 20 victims were recovered; in Contra Costa County, 17; and in Santa Clara County, seven victims were recovered, two traffickers arrested, and a firearm seized, according to authorities.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Against the odds, Ukraine managed to repel the initial Russian attack on Kyiv and, within a few months, took back large swaths of land originally seized by Moscow.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Britain had split the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before that colony gained independence, something that has been a source of diplomatic friction as well as multiple legal battles with locals who were evicted.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Advertisement The hierarchy of the event was also hard to miss, with homeless people reportedly evicted from the road leading to the venue and VIP motorcades shutting down the city with little regard for its residents.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Contrary to what many people believe, these items aren't actually confiscated.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
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The monitors also tried to confiscate four power banks and chargers.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From time immemorial bad men have attempted and will continue to usurp the will of the people; the cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressor is catholic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
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Many printers and news businesses were created, usurped or exchanged hands frequently during the 1910s era.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This latest news comes just a few weeks after Mayweather filed a lawsuit against Showtime Networks and the former president of Showtime Sports, accusing the company of helping facilitate a fraud scheme that deprived him of roughly $340 million in earnings.—
Matt Schubert,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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Second, the Iranian government would be depriving itself of a key source of revenue.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With a 125-122 lead and the ball in the closing seconds, James threw a dangerous cross-court pass intended for Doncic that Nicolas Batum stole.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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The action comes as a trial is approaching in a federal corruption case in which several former union executives — among them ousted International President Newton Jones — are charged with allegedly scheming to steal $20 million in union funds.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fernandez dispossessed Mikkel Damsgaard in midfield and Chelsea attacked at speed down the right.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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Black people and other non-white South Africans were displaced and dispossessed.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
20 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Neely tried to grab Belt-Stubblefield by the neck and take him to the ground, but the officer is the one who fell, according to the notice of claim.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
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Melvin Trotter walked in and began rifling through the cash register, grabbing about $100 and some food stamps.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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