expropriate

[ eks-proh-pree-eyt ]
/ ɛksˈproʊ priˌeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR expropriate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ex·pro·pri·at·ed, ex·pro·pri·at·ing.

to take possession of, especially for public use by the right of eminent domain, thus divesting the title of the private owner: The government expropriated the land for a recreation area.
to dispossess (a person) of ownership: The revolutionary government expropriated the landowners from their estates.
to take (something) from another's possession for one's own use: He expropriated my ideas for his own article.

Origin of expropriate

1605–15; < Medieval Latin expropriātus separated from one's own (past participle of expropriāre), equivalent to ex- ex-1 + propri(āre) to appropriate (derivative of proprius proper) + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM expropriate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH expropriate

appropriate apropos expropriate

Words nearby expropriate

expressivity, expressly, expressman, expresso, expressway, expropriate, expropriation, expt., exptl, exptl., expugnable

Words related to expropriate

confiscate, sequester, requisition, annex, assume, arrogate, commandeer, appropriate, preempt, take, dispossess, impound, accroach

Example sentences from the Web for expropriate

British Dictionary definitions for expropriate

expropriate
/ (ɛksˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to deprive (an owner) of (property), esp by taking it for public use See also eminent domain

Derived forms of expropriate

expropriable, adjective expropriation, noun expropriator, noun

Word Origin for expropriate

C17: from Medieval Latin expropriāre to deprive of possessions, from proprius own