Expropriation: meaning, definitions and examples

Used primarily in legal or government contexts, often when property is taken for public use with compensation, such as during urban development projects.

• The government announced the expropriation of land to build the new highway.
• Expropriation was necessary to create the public park.

Involves taking property by authority, often used in law enforcement or school contexts, usually has a negative implication.

• The police carried out the confiscation of the illegal goods.
• The student's phone was subject to confiscation during the exam.

Refers to the act of taking possession of something by force or with legal right, frequently used in medical, legal, and law enforcement contexts.

• The seizure of the drug shipment was reported in the news.
• She experienced a seizure and was taken to the hospital.

Often refers to the act of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission, and can include cultural contexts.

• The artist was accused of cultural appropriation for using traditional motifs in her work.
• The committee approved the appropriation of funds for the new library.

This term is generally used in legal and governmental contexts when the state takes private property for public use or benefit, usually with compensation to the owner. It is typically a formal and neutral term.

• The government's expropriation of land for the new highway project led to compensated landowners.
• Expropriation of private resources has always been a contentious issue in politics.

Nationalization refers to the process by which the government takes control of a company or industry, often to run it as a public enterprise. It is mostly used in economic or political discussions.

• The nationalization of the oil industry has sparked significant political debate.
• A wave of nationalization in the 20th century changed the landscape of many economies.

Confiscation implies the taking of property by an authority, often without compensation, usually as a penalty for wrongdoing. It has a negative connotation.

• The confiscation of illegal drugs by the police was reported on the evening news.
• Confiscation of the items occurred because they were smuggled into the country.

Seizure indicates taking possession of property or assets, often by law enforcement or court order, usually with a sense of urgency or force. It also carries a negative connotation.

• The court ordered the seizure of assets belonging to the fraudulent company.
• The seizure of the mansion was a result of the ongoing criminal investigation.