as in adopted
to take for one's own use (something originated by another)
borrowed the basic plot from a book of tales, but put her personal stamp on the story
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in assumed
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Recent Examples of borrowed
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Nearly every part of the couple's wedding was borrowed or gifted with love.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
In the first quarter of 2025, nearly 6 million people who had borrowed were at least 90 days behind or already in default.
—Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
This may be the single most borrowed-from premise in recent DC history, as many of its elements were utilized throughout The CW’s The Flash (2014–2023) and the DCEU’s The Flash (2023).
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
The legendary painter borrowed 60 bucks then disappeared into the night.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The American billionaire also bought out the remaining independent shareholders, taking the total cost of the transaction north of £600m, of which more than £550m was borrowed from Deutsche Bank.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
That’s due to a combination of cost-prohibitive music rights and clips borrowed from other films and TV series.
—Will Harris, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Display items also were borrowed from the Illinois State Museum and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Home to more than 1,200 stores, the Dubai Mall is so big that complimentary electric buggies ferry shoppers around and free phone batteries can be borrowed in case visitors run out of power on a day trip there.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Nearly every part of the couple's wedding was borrowed or gifted with love.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
In the first quarter of 2025, nearly 6 million people who had borrowed were at least 90 days behind or already in default.
—Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
This may be the single most borrowed-from premise in recent DC history, as many of its elements were utilized throughout The CW’s The Flash (2014–2023) and the DCEU’s The Flash (2023).
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
The legendary painter borrowed 60 bucks then disappeared into the night.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The American billionaire also bought out the remaining independent shareholders, taking the total cost of the transaction north of £600m, of which more than £550m was borrowed from Deutsche Bank.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
That’s due to a combination of cost-prohibitive music rights and clips borrowed from other films and TV series.
—Will Harris, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Display items also were borrowed from the Illinois State Museum and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrowed
Verb
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The British eventually adopted harsh measures to end the revolt.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The team has started testing combinations specifically for B-EUV radiation, which is expected to be adopted in manufacturing within the next decade.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Getting confronted with gruesome, horrific imagery has, unfortunately, become an assumed risk when logging onto social media.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Some photographers flip this assumed authenticity on its head by reverse-engineering studios and sets to resemble homes.—
Megan Williams,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, Edgell has since embraced baking full time, according to the outlet.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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As the Internet, and now AI, enabled increased firms’ capabilities, and customers acquired more power in the marketplace, the most successful firms were those that embraced startingly different principles.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Similarly, a basketball team accustomed to new hardwood may benefit from training sessions on worn or cushioned courts that simulate upcoming away venues.—
Michael Hales,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
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Weaving and Gallner are more than up to the task of breathing genuine emotion into their worn characters.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Borrowed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrowed. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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