expropriate

1 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 arrogate, commandeer, convert, appropriate, pirate, preempt, press, seize, take over, usurpRelated Words annex, attach, claim, confiscate, impound, repossess, sequester; assume, collar, grab, grasp, snatch, steal, wrench, wrest; despoil, loot, pillage; encroach, infringe, invade, occupy, preoccupy, trespass; embezzle, misapply, misappropriate, misuse, peculate

2 to end the occupancy or possession of the state will have to expropriate scores of homeowners in order to build the new road Synonyms divest, dispossess, oustRelated Words deforce, evict; disfurnish, strip; bereave, deprive, disinherit; annex, appropriate, commandeer, impound, seize, take over, usurp

3 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 attach, confiscate, sequesterRelated Words garnishee; appropriate, arrogate, preempt, usurp; commandeer, seize, take overNear Antonyms cede, deliver, forfeit, give up, hand over, release, relinquish, render, surrender, turn over, yield