expropriate
verb
transitive verb
Did you know?
If you guessed that expropriate has something in common with the verb appropriate, you're right. Both words ultimately derive from the Latin adjective proprius, meaning "own." Expropriate came to English by way of the Medieval Latin verb expropriare, itself from Latin ex- ("out of" or "from") and proprius. Appropriate descends from Late Latin appropriare, which joins proprius and Latin ad- ("to" or "toward"). Both the verb appropriate ("to take possession of" or "to set aside for a particular use") and the adjective appropriate ("fitting" or "suitable") have been with us since the 15th century, and expropriate was officially appropriated in the 17th century. Other proprius descendants in English include proper and property.
Synonyms
- appropriate
- arrogate
- commandeer
- convert
- pirate
- preempt
- press
- seize
- take over
- usurp
Example Sentences
Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Public concerns about similarities with Venezuela led Mr. Petro to publicly sign a document at a notary public pledging not to expropriate. Kejal Vyas, WSJ, 24 May 2022 Over the years, Prymachenko’s iconic style was much imitated, with many paying tribute and some seeking to expropriate it. Laura Kingstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2022 The history of exploration, after all, is inseparable from exploitation, the relentless drive of empires and private enterprise to claim territory and expropriate raw materials. Jody Rosen, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2022 In November, El Salvador adopted a new law that will allow government to expropriate land for public use. Mary Anastasia O’grady, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2022 The city of Athens claimed the land using its power of eminent domain — that is, the right of a government to expropriate private property for public use. Eric Stirgus, ajc, 29 Oct. 2021 This will allow Caiso to override utility contracts and expropriate power destined for other states. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 11 July 2021 The legal battle is already underway to expropriate the property, located in a relatively affluent part of Tijuana. Wendy Fry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2021 See More Word History
Medieval Latin expropriatus, past participle of expropriare, from Latin ex- + proprius own
1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Legal Definition
expropriate
transitive verb
expropriating
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- seizing
- confiscating
- stealing
- usurping
- grabbing
- appropriating
- converting
- occupying
- annexing
- claiming
- arrogating
- commandeering
- preempting
- invading
- pirating
- looting
- snatching
- assuming
- repossessing
- despoiling
- impounding
- taking over
- pillaging
- attaching
- pressing
- sequestering
- encroaching
- trespassing
- infringing
- grasping
- misappropriating
- embezzling
- misusing
- wresting
- collaring
- wrenching
- preoccupying
- misapplying
- peculating
Synonyms & Similar Words
- evicting
- dispossessing
- depriving
- stripping
- divesting
- ousting
- usurping
- annexing
- appropriating
- disinheriting
- impounding
- deforcing
- commandeering
- seizing
- disfurnishing
- bereaving
- taking over
Synonyms & Similar Words
- confiscating
- sequestering
- attaching
- usurping
- appropriating
- seizing
- arrogating
- preempting
- garnisheeing
- commandeering
- taking over
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rendering
- relinquishing
- yielding
- delivering
- ceding
- surrendering
- forfeiting
- releasing
- handing over
- turning over
- giving up