as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
the development of the colony involved expropriation of large tracts of fertile farmland from the natives
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expropriation
Books permit these corporations—many of them whose foundations are tied to European colonialism and the history of expropriation and looting—to be authors in the telling of history and culture.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The expropriations, along with the firings, consolidated state control of the oil sector and, experts say, drained the country of expertise and investment, inflicting lasting damage.
—Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Following the 2007 expropriations under Chávez, many of these facilities were nationalized, and then undermaintained and allowed to deteriorate.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Trump has repeatedly called the expropriations the largest theft in American history.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expropriation
Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The expropriations, along with the firings, consolidated state control of the oil sector and, experts say, drained the country of expertise and investment, inflicting lasting damage.
—Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Following the 2007 expropriations under Chávez, many of these facilities were nationalized, and then undermaintained and allowed to deteriorate.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Trump has repeatedly called the expropriations the largest theft in American history.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expropriation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriation
Noun
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Prasad, however, bristled at the idea of a takeover by Insight during the news conference Wednesday.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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As the threat of a conservative curriculum takeover looms over Florida’s New College, a group of students and their professor come together to resist and push back.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This year’s White House document is intended to provide a road map from the president to Congress as lawmakers build their own budgets and annual appropriations bills to keep the government funded.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
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This year's White House document is intended to provide a roadmap from the president to Congress as lawmakers build their own budgets and annual appropriations bills to keep the government funded.—
LISA MASCARO,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office says, early Sunday afternoon, other inmates at the open pod alerted deputies that an inmate was having what looked like a seizure.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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That's where a court battle is playing out between Sheriff Chad Bianco, a prominent election denier running for governor, and Democrats who say a seizure of more than 60,000 ballots from a prior election is a political stunt that undermines public trust in voting.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In his order, Burrows asked the legislative committee to complete a detailed analysis of the state and federal statutes needed to initiate the annexation process.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Ultimately, the approvals considered Tuesday for Project Steel — on annexation, rezoning of the property, a Planned Unit Development agreement, and the utility and infrastructure and development agreements — were all approved.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This is an ancient practice that continues into the Middle Ages called usurpation.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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The Court’s usurpation runs deeper than the invalidation of statutes with a liberal cast, though there has been plenty of that.—
Duncan Hosie,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expropriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriation. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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