Appropriates

The verb 'appropriates' means to take something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission. It can refer to taking physical objects, ideas, or even funds. The act implies a degree of control or ownership, often with the intention of using it in a manner that benefits the taker. It can involve clandestine actions, blatant seizures or more formally, such as a government appropriating funds for a project. The word carries connotations of potentially unethical behavior, depending on the context, or an act of taking for a specific purpose.

Appropriates meaning with examples

• The thief appropriates the artwork from the museum, knowing its value and planning to sell it on the black market. This theft was a brazen act of disrespect. His immediate plans were to escape the country and sell the paintings. It left the museum staff devastated after the breach.
• The company appropriates the innovative design ideas of a small startup without offering any compensation. The founder was livid. The startup's dreams were dashed. It filed for patent infringement but the corporation was too large.
• The government appropriates funds from the national budget to support a controversial military project. It made it's intentions very clear. The population was divided on whether the funds were needed or should be allocated elsewhere. Demonstrations were held.
• The novelist appropriates historical events as the backdrop for a fictional story, blending fact and fantasy. It was met with mixed reviews as some historians found the liberties taken offensive. It was deemed good fiction though.
• The researcher appropriates data from a previous study without proper attribution, leading to accusations of plagiarism. It was soon found out. They faced professional ruin after losing all creditability. The scientific community was horrified.