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

Cooper also blocked the administration from closing the venue for two years of construction because the plans for the project were adopted too hastily. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 The state eventually adopted most of the books, but only after publishers made changes to their content. — Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adopted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopted

Adjective

New Atlas The rides were in varying stages of decay, and there seemed to be a lot of orphaned carousel horses from other amusement centers dotted across the park.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
Nearly all cited the number of people killed, while large majorities pointed to orphaned children, mothers who lost children, grieving families and victims whose bodies remained trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of orphaned

Verb

When Liverpool borrowed him from Paris Saint-Germain in December 2001 following the departure of fan-favourite striker Robbie Fowler, there were questions about his character and attitude after previous spells at Arsenal and Real Madrid.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
The party responsible for repayment generally depends on when the debt was incurred, who borrowed the money, the type of account and applicable state law.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of borrowed

Verb

Republicans have embraced the normative aspects of gay rights.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Risto Siltanen, Reijo Ruotsalainen and Janne Niinimaa were brilliant and mistake-prone defenders from the nation who played in the NHL; all found their way to Edmonton and were embraced by a fanbase obsessed with offence.

— Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of embraced

Browse Nearby Words

adopt

adopted

adopting

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Adopted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopted. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of adopted

adjective

verb

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