1
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
dissidents were shot, and their lands expropriated under his regime
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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
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Example Sentences
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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
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
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But is Simone now the villain – or simply someone with a tough upbringing who seized an opportunity to secure her future?—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Israel imposed a blockade on all supplies entering Gaza in March, saying Hamas was seizing supplies meant for civilians - a charge the group denies.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Verb
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One article from a respected legacy publication just last year centered on how to get your neighbor evicted for smelling like weed.—
Lindsey Bartlett,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2025
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The officer told Dean that, under North Carolina law, the woman was a resident at the hotel and would need to be evicted to be forced to leave.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Provincial Police confiscated the 1964 Iso Rivolta Grifo A3 Stradale, entered in the Concorso by Thomas Shannon, after allegedly stopping its American driver on the streets of Cernobbio without an International Driving Permit.—
Michael Taylor,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Police confiscated guns, heroin, cocaine and $19,000 in cash when executing a search warrant.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Verb
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None of this bodes well for Vance’s argument that judges are trying to usurp the role of American voters.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
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Pitney Bowes is now on its fourth CEO in three years, with the activist investor that started it all usurping the head of the table.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The Administration has continued retaliating by depriving Harvard of billions of dollars in federal grants and contracts, and by attempting to strip the university’s tax-exempt status.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
29 May 2025
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Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who killed Floyd, is serving two sentences of more than 20 years in prison for a federal charge of depriving Floyd of his civil rights, and state charges of unintentional murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Sophomore infielder Luke Nixon was responsible for half of them, stealing 14 in 16 attempts.—
Mitch Light,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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In other words: just like in commerce, the real cost of a breach isn’t just what’s stolen.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
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During a discriminatory apartheid government that ended in the mid-1990s, Black South Africans were forcibly dispossessed of their lands for the benefit of Whites.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
21 May 2025
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Nico Williams soon dispossessed a stumbling Harry Maguire in the United half, and almost put Maroan Sannadi clear.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
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In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.—
Jalyn Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2025
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The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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