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
Relevance
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
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 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
-
After the Richmond killings, police served search warrants at Fluker and Westbrook’s homes, seizing seven guns and other items related to the investigation, the complaint says.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
These concerns grew acute in August 2024, when Ukraine launched its first offensive across the border into Russia, seizing a large chunk of territory in the region of Kursk.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Prince Andrew became Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and Charles also began the process of evicting him from the royal estate at Windsor.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now the city wants more tools to expand its limited enforcement options, which would start with warnings, then fines and may include confiscating food, equipment and carts found in violation of city ordinance and health codes.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Video of the incident shows a CBP officer confiscating the handgun shortly before other agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.—
Paul Kiefer,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to her arrest affidavit, after stealing the truck and being stopped, Giza struck two occupied police vehicles and accelerated toward uniformed officers on foot.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Others are stealing real PTINs from preparers and filing fraudulent returns using those credentials.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
-
He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the hot market has some paleontologists concerned that important specimens could disappear into private collections, depriving scientists of important research opportunities.—
R.J. Rico,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But the hot market has some paleontologists concerned that important specimens could disappear into private collections, depriving scientists of important research opportunities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Indiana lawmakers are expected to vote on some spotlight-grabbing bills today, including one that would pave the way for the Chicago Bears to move to Hammond, Indiana.—
Kaitlin Lange,
IndyStar,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The Smart House Inc dryer vent cleaner is an effective tool for grabbing lint that clogs hoses.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriating. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
