expropriation

noun

(ˌ)ek-ˌsprō-prē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce expropriation (audio)
Definition of expropriationnext
as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority the development of the colony involved expropriation of large tracts of fertile farmland from the natives

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 expropriation Put simply, this new deal consists of care in exchange for expropriation. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026 In the wake of the protests, the Environmental Protection and Conservation Authority has denounced the lack of transparency in the projects, which were approved without public consultation and with sudden expropriations of land. — Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026 Geopolitical risk, unlike standard macroeconomic risk, specifically heightens expropriation risk. — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 1 May 2026 Malema heads the Economic Freedom Fighters, which advocates for the expropriation of mines, banks and land, and is notorious for starting brawls in parliament. — Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expropriation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expropriation
  1. takeover
  2. appropriation
  3. seizure
  4. annexation
  5. usurpation
Noun
  • In July, financial services platform Stripe and private equity firm Advent International made a takeover offer valued at more than $50 billion, but are said to have abandoned their pursuit, according to Bloomberg.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Seemingly, the only thing that could slow down the automobile takeover was diminishing fuel supplies, fear of which had become a fixation of American oil companies and government officials after the Armistice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of takeover
Noun
  • Telle’s legislative experience also includes working with the Senate appropriations committee’s subcommittee to manage the Department of Homeland Security’s budget.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
  • On Tuesday members of the House of Representatives voted 370-48, with 14 members not voting, to adopt a Senate appropriations bill that will continue funding federal agencies until December 11.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of appropriation
Noun
  • According to a report from LASD released Tuesday, no arrests were made during the search and seizure and the investigation into the Arcadia business is ongoing.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The staff immediately gave her magnesium sulfate to prevent her from having seizures.
    — Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of seizure
Noun
  • Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said Trump’s annexation threats carry particular weight in Quebec.
    — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • By gradually accomplishing a de-facto annexation of the West Bank, the settlements would require Israeli Jews either to rule over a resentful non-Jewish population of about equal size or to surrender the Jewish identity of their state.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of annexation
Noun
  • Wasserman Schultz’s decision to run in the historically Black 20th Congressional District was selfish and opportunistic carpetbagging, a devastating usurpation of power from Black Floridians.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The attempt of any of the parts to exercise it is usurpation.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of usurpation

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expropriating
expropriation
expropriations
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Cite this Entry

“Expropriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expropriation. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on expropriation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about expropriation

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