appropriated

//əˈprəʊprieɪtɪd//

Verbs
C1

Translation

appropriated

Definition

The word 'appropriated' is the past tense of the verb 'appropriate,' meaning to take something for one's own use, often without permission or legal right. It can also refer to setting aside funds for a specific purpose, such as in government budgeting. In everyday language, it often carries a negative connotation of stealing or misusing something that belongs to someone else, but in formal contexts like finance, it is neutral and means to allocate resources officially. This term is common in legal, political, and business discussions, where it describes actions ranging from unauthorized taking to authorized distribution.

Example

  • The company appropriated the unused office space for a new meeting room.

  • He was accused of appropriating funds from the charity without permission.

  • The government appropriated a large sum for disaster relief efforts.

  • The artist appropriated elements from classical paintings in her modern work.

  • They appropriated the neighbor's tools and never returned them.

  • The committee appropriated additional resources to complete the project on time.

  • The software developer appropriated code from an open-source project without credit.

  • The school board appropriated funds for new textbooks and technology.

  • She felt her ideas were appropriated by her colleague during the meeting.

  • The military appropriated private land for training exercises during the war.

Synonyms

taken
seized
allocated
commandeered
usurped

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