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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expropriate
However, a law passed by South Africa earlier this year does not allow land to be expropriated without an agreement with the owner.
—
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 12 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 12 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for expropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate
Verb
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Investigators noted that one of the devices that was seized could not be examined because it was encrypted, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
22 July 2025
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Marino revealed to This American Life that during the early days of filming the reality show, Butler approached him about selling large amounts of marijuana that had been seized in drug raids by Wielsch.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, the California Civil Rights Department announced a settlement prohibiting Vertus Properties from evicting victims of domestic violence and which ordered $46,825 in fees for the woman to cover housing and other costs.—
Ishani Desai
July 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 July 2025
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Elan joined the show during Casa Amor, which happened right after Hannah was evicted.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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From 2022 through 2024, law enforcement officials in California confiscated 139,017 guns used in crimes with identifiable serial numbers, according to the DOJ’s crime guns report.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
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No charges have been pressed against Stone, but her family said her phone was confiscated.—
Joey Safchik,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup with the objective of trying to usurp the President from fulfilling the mandate bestowed upon him by the American people.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
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Powell – a more effective version of the combo guard archetype that Rozier is classified under – seems poised to usurp the 10-year veteran on the Heat’s depth chart.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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The indictment alleged Hankison deprived Taylor of the right to be free from unreasonable seizures and deprived her neighbors of the right to be free from the deprivation of liberty without due process of law.—
Tesfaye Negussie,
ABC News,
17 July 2025
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The lawsuit accuses Colorado of depriving Nebraska of as much as 1.3 million acre-feet (about 160,350 hectare-meters) of water from the river over several years that Nebraska is entitled to under a 1923 compact between the states.—
Margery A. Beck,
Denver Post,
16 July 2025
Verb
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How An Ocean Apart is different: The rebellious main character is secretly competing to break his heart and steal his money.—
Rebecca Dazenbaker,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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However, the location of the guitar has remained a mystery since September 1971, having been reportedly stolen during the band’s recording sessions for 1972’s Exile on Main St. at Villa Nellcôte on France’s Côte d’Azur.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Indigenous and colonized people paid the price, dispossessed of their lands.—
Michael Albertus,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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He was not dispossessed at all in the match and was generally a menace to SKC’s players.—
Felipe Cardenas,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Leave your troubles behind and grab a lime, because Thursday is National Tequila Day.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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Concerned, the roommates grabbed golf clubs from one of the first-floor bedrooms and checked the house for a possible intruder.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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