1. to take someone’s property, especially for public use, typically with compensation
Usage: legal; formal
2. to take someone’s property without permission or legal right
Usage: formal

Examples

• The government expropriated the land to build a new highway.
• Private property was expropriated during the revolution.
• The city council voted to expropriate several buildings for urban development.
• Farmers protested when their land was expropriated for the airport expansion.
• The dictator expropriated foreign-owned businesses without compensation.
• Local authorities can expropriate property for public infrastructure projects.