1
as in seizes
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
archaeologists wrongfully appropriated artifacts excavated at ancient sites for their museums
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in steals
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
you can't just appropriate somebody's term paper and put your name on it!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of appropriates
Braisted explained that the school district answers to the state, which appropriates most federal funding for MNPS.
—
Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
These words have different meanings in the context of AAVE, some say, and using them in a way that appropriates or stereotypes certain people groups strips away the importance of the original definitions.
—Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
The money that Congress appropriates to federal agencies each year is intended to be spent.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
The three branches are the legislative which makes laws and appropriates funds, the executive which enforces laws and implements public policy and the judicial which interprets laws and the constitution and applies those interpretations to legal disputes.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Congress appropriates annual funds for almost all other federal agencies.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Congress appropriates money to provide for the services that the public needs and demands.
—Dyana Mason, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2025
The House budget proposal put forth on January 22 appropriates $1 billion in funding for the new ESA program, signaling that school choice is a high priority for Speaker Burrows and his House colleagues.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Unlike many other states, New Mexico’s legislature directly appropriates operating revenue to the athletic departments of its two FBS schools, NMSU and the University of New Mexico.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
These words have different meanings in the context of AAVE, some say, and using them in a way that appropriates or stereotypes certain people groups strips away the importance of the original definitions.
—Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
The money that Congress appropriates to federal agencies each year is intended to be spent.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
The three branches are the legislative which makes laws and appropriates funds, the executive which enforces laws and implements public policy and the judicial which interprets laws and the constitution and applies those interpretations to legal disputes.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Congress appropriates annual funds for almost all other federal agencies.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Congress appropriates money to provide for the services that the public needs and demands.
—Dyana Mason, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2025
The House budget proposal put forth on January 22 appropriates $1 billion in funding for the new ESA program, signaling that school choice is a high priority for Speaker Burrows and his House colleagues.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Unlike many other states, New Mexico’s legislature directly appropriates operating revenue to the athletic departments of its two FBS schools, NMSU and the University of New Mexico.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriates
Verb
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When Day succumbs to his wounds, Dusk seizes the vacuum, claiming Hari Seldon’s psychohistory crystal.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
By the time Megan seizes control of the reins at the film’s close, the abrupt denouement feels jarringly disconnected rather than organic to the storytelling.—
Michael Rechtshaffen,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Taylor Kitsch is fantastic, but Tom Hopper steals the show.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Still, as Huntrix finally steals the show, the movie shows the singers and the audience as equals.—
Yvonne Kim,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Springer usually occupies the leadoff position in the Blue Jays lineup.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In another example, O’Reilly’s in-field movement occupies Yoro and prevents the right centre-back from marking Foden, who is positioned behind United’s midfield duo.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the feeling when a film grabs hold remains the same—by a story, a character, a voice—that, never goes out of season.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The lilting Calle Malaga, Morocco’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar, is a joy largely because of its veteran star who envelops the screen and grabs a role of a career.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When the State Department commandeers the West Virginia hotel to house Axis diplomats in the wake of Pearl Harbor, June realizes that nothing will ever be the same again.—
AudioFile Magazine
August 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Story editing is a form of self-talk that preempts your under-estimator from seizing control with its bludgeoning feedback.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Under state law, the legislature currently preempts all authority of a home rule charter or city government to regulate firearms and ammunition.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Comb of many colors At the core of the breakthrough is an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), a resonator that converts incoming laser light into new frequencies using a nonlinear crystal.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Some scientists theorized that Martian soil might contain a compound that quickly converts any organic material on the surface to carbon dioxide.—
Joel S. Levine,
The Conversation,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Appropriates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriates. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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