EXPROPRIATE Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

expropriate

verb

ek-ˈsprō-prē-ˌāt

Definition of expropriate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

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 expropriate Gray says the project, revolving around an elderly woman seeking revenge on a foreign company that expropriated her land to build a luxury ski resort, offers international casting and co-producer angles but that the configuration will depend on Kawawada’s artistic vision. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 May 2026 Farmland and forests owned jointly by a village or a clan were likewise expropriated by the Japanese since no single individual could claim them. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026 Much of that early ’Lo gear was boosted from department stores across the New York tristate Area, and ‘Lo Heads ran the risk of their own spoils being expropriated back home. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2026 After all, Exxon had its oil assets expropriated in Venezuela less than 20 years ago. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expropriate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate

Verb

The Texas high school football season is underway, and several Fort Worth-area teams seized statement wins.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
But while the Jets’ defense piled up takeaways, the rookie quarterback failed to seize the spotlight during the 23-6 loss to the Giants.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

The main drama involves a rural teen-age tee girl who recognizes the resort’s president as the potentate who evicted her family from their land.

— Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
In 1968 Britain considered evicting the family by force, with declassified documents showing a plan to raze the fort.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of evict

Verb

When referee Rick Knox confiscated the belt, Christian loaded up his wrist brace with a wrench.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Citing medical privacy laws, Ryan Gustin, a spokesperson for CoreCivic, declined to answer questions about Bartko’s allegations that her medication was confiscated and withheld from her for nearly two weeks.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of confiscate

Verb

Jason Speaking of football-loving families, the Kelces seem to have usurped the Mannings for the sport’s first family.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
For the most part, California has declined to usurp local governments’ power to decide what is built where, which has yielded relentless development of wildlands.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of usurp

Verb

According to Lahey, depriving kids of desirable difficulties results in kids who can’t handle frustration, give up at the first hint of a challenge, and are less able to learn.

— Cheryl Maguire, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
During the war’s previous winters, Russia systematically battered Ukraine’s power grid, depriving thousands of heat and light in freezing temperatures.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of deprive

Verb

In 1950, just before the LSU-Tulane game, Brown said a Tulane student, Norbert James, and his buddy stole LSU’s Mike the Tiger the night before their football game.

— Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The nectar contains grayanotoxin, a chemical the plant likely evolved to deter insects that steal nectar without pollinating the flower.

— Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of steal

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expressways

expropriate

expropriated

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“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of expropriate

verb

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