ADOPTED Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

adopted 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of adopted

as in orphaned

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

legitimate

adopted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of adopt

as in borrowed

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) shortly after moving to the U.S., the family dutifully adopted the American tradition of having turkey for Thanksgiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of adopted

Adjective

California, after years of political debate, finally semi-adopted phonics, although not completely requiring it. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026 The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a cause dear to his heart as an adopted child, is still going strong, thanks in part to $23 million through the sale of Frosty tags and coupons in 2025. — Bob Vitale, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Verb

Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with sentences of up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Piker’s tone was one of rueful concern, not unlike the pose adopted by anti-Semites throughout history. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adopted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopted

Adjective

If an agent leaves the business or ends the client relationship, a policy may become ‘orphaned’ and be reassigned or left without the same level of ongoing service.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Now about 5½ months old, Crimson is thriving on three legs, quickly returning to playful, curious cub behavior as the Oakland Zoo expands its track record of rescuing orphaned mountain lions.

— Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of orphaned

Verb

Europe ran the corresponding deficits, as many countries borrowed heavily abroad to rebuild economies devastated by war.

— MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
That strategy of producing scientific uncertainty delayed regulation for a generation, and the same playbook was later borrowed by other industries, including on climate change.

— Aleeza Gerstein, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of borrowed

Verb

Warsh, despite his arrival as a disruptor of Fed protocol, embraced that summer-retreat spirit.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
For three decades, in an increasingly noisy and stress-filled world, Miraval Arizona has embraced its philosophy of Life in Balance, pioneering the concept of transformative wellbeing through mindfulness.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of embraced

Browse Nearby Words

adopt

adopted

adopting

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Adopted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopted. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of adopted

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes