expropriation

noun

ex·​pro·​pri·​a·​tion (ˌ)ek-ˌsprō-prē-ˈā-shən 

: the act of expropriating or the state of being expropriated

specifically : the action of the state in taking or modifying the property rights of an individual in the exercise of its sovereignty

Synonyms

• takeover
• appropriation
• seizure
• annexation
• usurpation

Examples of expropriation in a Sentence

the development of the colony involved expropriation of large tracts of fertile farmland from the natives

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump has taken particular exception to the recent passage of a law that enables expropriation of land. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 21 May 2025

Trump has falsely accused the South African government of rights violations against white Afrikaner farmers by seizing their land through a new expropriation law. —Gerald Imray, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

Trump has falsely accused the South African government of a rights violation against white Afrikaner farmers by seizing their land through a new expropriation law. —Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025

His father owns a small island property on which the local administration issued an expropriation order in 2023 due to the approval of a luxury hotel complex project. —Borja Suarez, USA Today, 20 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for expropriation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration