expropriate

[ eks-proh-pree-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·pro·pri·at·ed, ex·pro·pri·at·ing.

1. 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.

2. to dispossess (a person) of ownership:

   The revolutionary government expropriated the landowners from their estates.

3. to take (something) from another's possession for one's own use:

   He expropriated my ideas for his own article.

expropriate

/ ɛksˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• exˌpropriˈation, noun
• exˈpropriable, adjective
• exˈpropriˌator, noun

Other Words From

• ex·pro·pri·a·ble [eks-, proh, -pree-, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• ex·propri·ation noun
• ex·propri·ation·ist adjective noun
• ex·propri·ator noun
• de-ex·propri·ation noun
• unex·propri·a·ble adjective
• unex·propri·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expropriate¹

1605–15; from 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 -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of expropriate¹

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

Example Sentences

MK's manifesto pledged to "expropriate all land without compensation, transferring ownership to the people under the custodianship of the state and traditional leaders".

From BBC

The Mexican president has in the past threatened to expropriate the extensive property, claiming the pits it has dug to extract crushed limestone have damaged the fragile system of underground rivers and caves in the area.

From Seattle Times

López Obrador has said that before he steps down, he’ll expropriate U.S.-owned Vulcan Materials, a move which could cost the Mexican government as much as $1.9 billion if the Alabama-based quarry company wins an ongoing international arbitration complaint against Mexico.

From Seattle Times

If an agreement isn't reached the Portuguese government could expropriate the land.

From BBC

The question was resolved in 2017 when Austria’s highest court ruled that the government was within its rights to expropriate the building after its owner refused to sell it.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• annex
• confiscate
• requisition
• sequester