Confiscatory: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in legal or economic contexts to describe policies or actions that harshly take away property or earnings.

• The new tax laws have been criticized as overly confiscatory, burdening small businesses.
• Confiscatory fines can significantly impact someone's financial stability.

Often used when describing the act of taking control of property or assets forcefully or suddenly, sometimes used in medical contexts as well.

• The authorities carried out the seizure of the company's assets due to unpaid taxes.
• The police conducted a seizure of the stolen goods hidden in the warehouse.

Used when referring to the act of taking something for one's own use, often without permission, or the legal allocation of funds.

• The appropriation of cultural artifacts by museums has raised ethical questions.
• Congress discussed the appropriation of funds for the new infrastructure project.

Refers to the act of officially taking someone's property, usually by a government authority, often in a legal context.

• The government's confiscation of land has affected many farmers.
• Confiscation of illegal goods is common during customs inspections.