expropriate

American  

[eks-proh-pree-eyt] / ɛksˈproʊ priˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

expropriated, expropriating

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 British  

/ ɛksˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

---

Other Word Forms

• de-expropriation noun
• expropriable adjective
• expropriation noun
• expropriationist adjective
• expropriator noun
• unexpropriable adjective
• unexpropriated adjective

Etymology

Origin of expropriate

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

Explanation

Use the verb expropriate to describe the act of taking people's property, usually by a government. If you really like your neighbor's house, you may wish you could expropriate the property. To correctly pronounce expropriate, say "ex-PRO-pree-ate." It sounds a lot like another verb, appropriate and has a similar meaning. That's because of their shared Latin root proprius, which means "own." Expropriate is typically used to describe taking property — rather than smaller possessions — and a government or other official organization is usually the one doing the taking. For example, a state may expropriate property in order to build a new road.

Example Sentences

The difficulties arise because the acquirer can’t simply expropriate an investor-owned utility’s assets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

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

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2023

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 • Oct. 2, 2023

Lopez Obrador has clashed with Grupo Mexico this year, and in May moved to expropriate some tracks the company controls in southern Mexico for a flagship infrastructure project.

From Reuters • Sep. 20, 2023

The Government is entitled to expropriate any land containing antiquities on paying a valuation and ten per cent. over, but this, of course, was not private property.

From There was a King in Egypt by Lorimer, Norma

Related Words

• annex
• confiscate
• requisition
• sequester