expropriations

noun

plural of expropriation
as in takeovers
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

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 expropriations In the wake of the protests, the Environmental Protection and Conservation Authority has denounced the lack of transparency in the projects, which were approved without public consultation and with sudden expropriations of land. — Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 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 The expropriations led to more than 40 arbitration complaints against Venezuela in the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, which is part of the World Bank. — Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025 Output plummeted due to decades of mismanagement, corruption, and expropriations that began under Hugo Chávez and worsened under Maduro. — Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025 Land expropriations will also be authorized. — CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriations
  1. takeovers
  2. seizures
  3. appropriations
  4. annexations
Noun
  • Investigators identified two men in particular who were allegedly coordinating these takeovers through social media, police said.
    — Sydney Brammer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • State and local officials warn decertifying California’s program could open the Pacific Ocean to more drilling, expose coastal residents to more launches and invite federal takeovers of coastal oversight elsewhere.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of takeovers
Noun
  • In her lawsuit, Phyllis Zorn said the raid violated protections for a free press, safeguards against unreasonable searches by law enforcement and a federal law that limits searches and seizures of journalists' materials.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority Police, Oakland County Sheriff's Office and Milford Police assisted with the seizures.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of seizures
Noun
  • In a biannual appropriations committee hearing, bills added to the suspense file during the Legislative session are permitted to move to the Senate or Assembly floor or are quietly halted.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But once similar requirements appear in state statutes, appropriations bills or governing-board directives, the institution no longer controls the terms.
    — David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of appropriations
Noun
  • But county commissioners voted in February to put a moratorium on annexations and incorporations for at least five years to give the county time to assess the fiscal impact of future annexation and incorporations.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
Definition of annexations

Browse Nearby Words

expropriation
expropriations
expulse
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Cite this Entry

“Expropriations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriations. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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