1. relating to or characterized by the act of taking something for one's own use, especially without permission or right
Usage: formal; often used in academic or legal contexts
2. of or relating to the appropriation of funds or resources by a government or organization
Usage: technical; used in budgeting and legislative contexts

Examples

• The appropriative practices of colonial powers stripped many nations of their natural resources.
• Critics argue that the appropriative use of indigenous art without credit is unethical.
• The appropriative legislation allowed the government to allocate funds to emergency relief.
• Scholars debate the appropriative nature of cultural borrowing in modern music.
• The committee reviewed the appropriative measures needed for the new infrastructure project.