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 Chávez had ordered all of Venezuela’s ports to be expropriated. — Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for expropriate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriate

Verb

Experts worry federal law enforcement could potentially use those false claims — or others generated this year — as pretext to try to seize ballots during the counting period, or interfere in the process in some other way.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
Those weaknesses could enable cybercriminals to seize control of unprotected website servers, install malware, pilfer customer data and even take sites down completely.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Italian authorities had bolstered security forces in Milan with hundreds of military troops who conducted searches and confiscated baseball bats, fireworks and face masks from scores of protesters.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Arriving from Barcelona, the local landlord, however, confiscates Fagas’ America rifle, given to him by his father.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of confiscate

Verb

But having your name be usurped by a bag is a strangely dehumanizing experience.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
By the time the coffee shop building was going up at the end of the route in 1959, Fresco said, interstate freeways were already beginning to usurp Route 66’s role and the Santa Monica route of Interstate 10 had been plotted.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of usurp

Verb

The risk of transmission also limits contact with the patients even after death, depriving families of closure and the opportunity to observe their preferred burial rites.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
The condition causes the carotid artery inside the skull to narrow or close, depriving the brain of oxygen.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of deprive

Verb

Catcher William Contreras then threw out Simpson attempting to steal second after Simpson slid off the bag.

— Zak Gilbert, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Tracy Letts steals the movie as a dryly observant United Artists studio head who’s eventually disarmed by Sly’s charms.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of steal

Verb

Sveindis Jonsdottir capped the scoring in the 67th minute, dispossessing Tatumn Milazzo deep in Utah territory before rolling a shot past McGlynn’s right side.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Sveindís Jónsdóttir capped the scoring in the 67th minute, dispossessing Tatumn Milazzo deep in Utah territory before rolling a shot past McGlynn’s right side.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispossess

Verb

Finally, grab 32% off the Eufy E340 Security Video Doorbell with Chime, providing dual 2K cameras and color night vision.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
James scored 18 points, grabbed two rebounds and was a minus-22 going up against Paul Reed, and the 76ers were left to hope his presence at center was nothing more than a cameo.

— Dan Gelston, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of grab

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expressways

expropriate

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“Expropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of expropriate

verb

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