1
as in seizing
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 evicting
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 confiscating
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 expropriating
In his view, the administration is effectively expropriating the decision-making power of owners and handing it to the state.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriating
Verb
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Riverside County sheriff and GOP governor candidate draws heat for seizing 650,000 ballots from last November’s election, claiming possible fraud with little evidence.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Much speculation has been focused on US forces potentially seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The homeowners were in the process of evicting Jennifer Crouse and John Crouse, who was 70 at the time, police wrote in the affidavit.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
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Several landlords who own similar apartment buildings in the city have described an upswing in nonpaying tenants since the pandemic and greater difficulties in court evicting nonpayers.—
JC Reindl,
Freep.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While Tehran is being bombarded, the regime’s security forces have been stationed at checkpoints across the city, searching civilians and confiscating their phones.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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At the same time, CBP reported a surge in drug seizures after agents confiscating more than 79,000 pounds of narcotics nationwide last month, the highest monthly total since October 2021.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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How a state comes to control another land and its people, sometimes slowly dispossessing the natives of their lands, sometimes laying waste to them, sometimes committing genocide.—
Philip Metres
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One of the things that's gone really wrong in America is this gas station/convenience store/fast food restaurant that is usurping small town America.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
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By January 2025, Szczesny had become manager Hansi Flick’s No 1 choice in goal, putting together a string of solid performances and usurping Inaki Pena in the role.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If any Houthi attacks were to effectively block the strait, Xu told CNN, the Saudis would either start prioritizing crude shipments for nearby Europe —thus depriving Asia — or route oil tankers to Asia through the Suez Canal.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
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Some hospitals would close entirely, depriving people of quality healthcare within a reasonable distance.—
Demetrius Atsalis,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kaufman-Renn hit his first seven shots — going 6-for-6 and grabbing five rebounds in the first half — on the way to 20 points.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Agents targeted grocery stores, churches, and construction sites, smashing car windows and pulling people from vehicles or grabbing them at a hardware store parking lot.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriating. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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