apropiar

to appropriate

verb ah-proh-pyAHR Rare

Also means

to adapt

Usage Note

Apropiar (more commonly used reflexively as apropiarse de) means to take possession of something, often without proper authorization — se apropió del dinero (he appropriated the money). The adjective apropiado/a (appropriate, suitable) shares the same root but is far more frequent. Do not confuse the verb apropiar with the adjective apropiado.

Examples

"Se apropió del terreno sin permiso."

Natural Translation

He appropriated the land without permission.

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