1
2
as in to evict
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 to confiscate
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 expropriate Since 2022, the Ukrainian government has proceeded systematically to expropriate the assets of these companies, diminishing the interests of private investors, and, in the end, decreasing the amount of energy actually produced. Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 About a dozen European companies have had their Russian subsidiaries expropriated by presidential decree, including Danish brewer Carlsberg and Finnish utility Fortum and the Kremlin has warned of more asset seizures. Anna Hirtenstein and Alexander Marrow, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 From the fourteenth century onward, Ottoman sultans regularly expropriated their subjects, including merchants, soldiers, and state officials. Timur Kuran, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017 Castillo at one time threatened to expropriate mining concessions and Petro has pledged to halt oil and coal investment and exploration in a unilateral bid to address climate change. Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate
Verb
  • The Astros did not seize it, bypassing infielder Brice Matthews in favor of journeymen veterans Cooper Hummel and Luis Guillorme.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • Creators are making money via social media and e-commerce platforms every day, so there’s no reason why freelancers can’t seize the opportunity as well.
    Chelsea Tobin, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • The film follows her on the worst day of her life as she gets fired, evicted and robbed at gunpoint.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 10 June 2025
  • He had been evicted, at last report, from his lodgings.
    Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Her family remained in Italy until 1939, when the Italian Racial Laws barred Jews from certain jobs and ordered Jewish property and businesses to be confiscated.
    Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • One was the restitution of property that had been confiscated from loyalists.
    Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The lawsuit says the administration is usurping Congress' power to direct how federal money will be spent and to pass laws.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 May 2025
  • Comments Netflix's Sirens finds Milly Alcock's Simone usurping Julianne Moore's Michaela as queen of the Kell family.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Civil matters can provide or deprive a person of a basic human need — food, shelter, income or safety.
    Jeffrey D. Harvey, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025
  • Without the jury present, Weinstein addressed the judge on Wednesday and complained the jury behavior is depriving him of a fair trial.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • This image from Japan catches a White-Tailed Sea Eagle hiding a fish in a hole as another eagle was approaching to steal it.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Israel and the United States accuse the Hamas militant group of stealing aid.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Island residents could be dispossessed by land privatization, not unlike what happened in Hawaii, said Siniva Bennett, board chair of the Samoa Pacific Development Corp., a Portland, Ore.-based nonprofit.
    Mark Thiessen, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • There was a moment in the second half when Cuthbert dispossessed opposite number Grace Clinton, then dribbled away from her, got her body in the way and won a free kick.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Scott grabbed some pizza and returned to park her Subaru near the West Shore Market to wait for Serafini.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
  • Appeal To All Five Senses People still like going out, meeting others and grabbing coffee.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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