appropriation
- 01 C1 Advanced
taking something for yourself, especially when you do not have the right to do so.
the act of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission or legal right.
Simple“The company was accused of the illegal appropriation of private land for its new factory.”
In context“The historian argued that the appropriation of local resources by the colonial government led directly to the subsequent economic collapse.”
UsageOften followed by the preposition 'of'.
SynonymsAntonymsreturnrelinquishment - 02 C1 Advanced
an amount of money that a government or organization officially sets aside for a specific purpose.
a sum of money or assets formally allotted by a legislative body for a specific public expenditure.
Simple“The city council approved a new appropriation for the construction of a public library.”
In context“The emergency budget included a significant appropriation for disaster relief, ensuring that local authorities could begin reconstruction immediately.”
UsageCommonly used in the plural 'appropriations' when referring to general budget bills.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
using elements from another culture or another artist's work in your own creation.
the intentional borrowing, copying, or alteration of existing symbols, objects, or cultural elements within a new work.
Simple“The artist faced criticism for cultural appropriation after using traditional patterns without understanding their meaning.”
In context“Postmodern art often relies on the appropriation of mass-media imagery to critique consumer culture and the concept of authenticity.”
Teacher's tipIn modern sociology, 'cultural appropriation' is a highly sensitive term used to describe a dominant culture taking from a minority culture.
SynonymsAntonyms
“But the Trump administration has failed so far to obtain congressional authorization and appropriations for the ballroom.”
“He directed his followers to “feed them rather than fight them.” But settler appropriation of Shoshone lands soon destroyed tribal hunting and fishing grounds.”
From Middle English appropriacion, appropriacioun, from Medieval Latin appropriātiō. By surface analysis, appropriate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.