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.

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expropriate British  

/ ɛksˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

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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

Example Sentences

He eventually expropriated assets from foreign investors that refused to accept these new terms.

From Barron's

It was fuelled by the availability of large tracts of land expropriated by powerful, politically-connected figures and by a flood of Chinese capital.

From BBC

"The monastery's property is being seized and expropriated. This spiritual beacon of Orthodoxy and Hellenism is now facing an existential threat," he said in a statement.

From BBC

Over the next few months, the state will determine the value of the expropriated assets, he said.

From BBC

The move away from market-value compensation will also apply to land expropriated for a "public purpose" – like building state schools or railways.

From BBC

Related Words

• annex
• confiscate
• requisition
• sequester