as in to adopt
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of borrow
In photos shared by his parents, Joaquin sported a sleek black tuxedo, borrowed from his dad!
—
Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Critics say Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is hostile to Muslims in particular and borrows from the organization's Hindu nationalist ideology.
—Rob Schmitz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Kids who didn’t bring pens with them scrambled to borrow one from anybody — the adults on the field, their parents in the stands, even a reporter standing nearby.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Visitors can borrow a pitchfork and period costume from the visitor center and pose in front of the house for photos.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borrow
Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Critics say Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is hostile to Muslims in particular and borrows from the organization's Hindu nationalist ideology.
—Rob Schmitz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Kids who didn’t bring pens with them scrambled to borrow one from anybody — the adults on the field, their parents in the stands, even a reporter standing nearby.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Visitors can borrow a pitchfork and period costume from the visitor center and pose in front of the house for photos.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrow
Verb
-
In the broad picture, district budgets throughout the state are likely to be a little larger, level or somewhat smaller — and schools could yet receive a big boost by the time the state’s budget is adopted in June.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a reason Pete Carroll adopted that strategy up in Seattle with the Seahawks.—
Tracy Kimball,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
So the big production rewrite was embracing Australia, not as some post-apocalyptic Mad Max hellscape, but Australia for Australia.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The most recent photographs, which were taken in March, showed Vrabel and Russini holding hands and embracing.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrow. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
