1. the act of adopting or absorbing an idea, person, or group into an existing system, often to neutralize opposition or gain legitimacy
Usage: often used in political and social contexts; frequently implies a loss of independence or authenticity
2. the selection or appointment of a member to a group or organization by the existing members rather than by election or external appointment
Usage: formal usage, especially in governance and institutional contexts

Examples

• The government's cooption of the protest movement weakened its original message.
• Critics argued that the company's diversity initiative was merely cooption designed to improve its public image.
• The board approved the cooption of three new members to fill vacant positions.
• Cooption of radical ideas by mainstream media often strips them of their critical edge.
• The organization feared cooption by larger corporate interests.
• Through cooption, the regime attempted to neutralize dissent by including opposition figures in advisory roles.