APPROPRIATED Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

appropriated

verb

past tense of appropriate

as in seized

to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right archaeologists wrongfully appropriated artifacts excavated at ancient sites for their museums

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in stole

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep you can't just appropriate somebody's term paper and put your name on it!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 appropriated In a world saturated with information, where every image is already endlessly recycled and re-appropriated, attention itself becomes a political act. — Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Congress appropriated $257 million in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act for Kennedy Center repairs and renovations. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026 But some conservative Republicans have appropriated the character as, among other things, anti-gay. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026 Its funding comes from money appropriated by Congress, as well as donations from corporations and individuals. — Sarah Webber, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 District officials warned against budgeting money that had not yet been appropriated, while educators, their unions and other supporters argued that failing to do so would certainly trigger deeper cuts to classrooms already stretched thin. — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Bonta’s office drew down an auxiliary state fund appropriated for such actions by more than $19 million during the 2025-26 fiscal year, the attorney general said in a report to the Legislature also released Tuesday. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Although Congress appropriated $345 million for AHRQ for this fiscal year, the agency has spent less than $15 million on grants and hasn’t issued a new one in over a year, according to a review of federal records. — Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 In general, the president can only spend money that Congress has appropriated. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriated

Verb

Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Authorities have seized Walter’s cellphone and laptop, according to Bloomberg.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of seized

Verb

Hana reported that plainclothes agents confiscated phones and electronic equipment and that Seyedabdollahi was subsequently held in solitary confinement and at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence detention facility in Isfahan.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Some areas remained inaccessible, and there were reports that donated relief supplies had been confiscated.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of confiscated

Verb

He was also accused of deceiving escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction condo deposits and then misappropriated those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the developments.

— Jay Weaver June 6, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
The judge, however, said Monday that Ramco failed to offer evidence that Prasad misappropriated hospital funds.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026

Definition of misappropriated

Verb

Colby opened camp on the first string but has been usurped the past week by veteran Rob Jones, whose violent streak showed up well in Tuesday’s action against the Titans.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Mikesic said LivaNova’s actions usurped Cansler’s ability to request information from the company’s corporate representatives and witnesses as her attorneys prepared for trial.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of usurped

Verb

Nashville then moved two goals clear in the 56th minute when Cristian Espinoza sent a pass across toward the near post and Surridge converted nonchalantly with a beautiful heel flick.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
In 1998, Bidwill and Duffy terminated the popular harness meeting controlled by the Johnston family, a minority owner of Sportsman’s, and converted the Cicero track into a thoroughbred and auto racing venue, Chicago Motor Speedway.

— Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of converted

Verb

Bagherzadeh, who leads Iran’s armed forces’ missing persons search committee, earlier claimed that Qatar had held the three crew members for months after their planes were shot down early in the war.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the Israeli military staged a series of attacks on his country on Saturday, including intensive airstrikes and shelling, that claimed the lives of at least nine people and injured 11.

— Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of claimed

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“Appropriated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriated. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of appropriated

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