arrogate

USAGE SUMMARY

'arrogate' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb meaning 'to claim or seize without justification'. Example sentence: He arrogated authority over the project without any justification.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

It is a heretical act of arrogance to arrogate divinity for oneself or to claim multiple incarnations.

The New York Times

If Barack Obama can sidestep the legislative process and implement central elements of the DREAM Act through adminstrative fiat, if he can arrogate to his office the unilateral power to determine who will die designated a "terrorist", surely he can have the USDA make an ad hoc rule on the prevailing price floor for dairy.

The Economist

Europe's heads of government should stand against its latest power grab, which is to arrogate to itself the right to choose the next European Commission president by getting the main political groups to nominate candidates and refusing to accept any alternative.If the EU is to gain democratic legitimacy, it will do so not through the European Parliament but through national parliaments.

The Economist

Eisenhower, however, was reluctant to send U.S. troops to Asian jungles, to arrogate war-making powers to the executive, or to sully the anti-imperialist reputation of the United States, which he considered an asset in the Cold War.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When, in the latter half of the 16th century, the Mughal emperor Akbar in India wanted to arrogate to himself the right of administrative legal absolutism, the strong reaction of the orthodox thwarted his attempt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another twist was given to this concept by the statement in the French constitution of 1791 that "Sovereignty is one, indivisible, unalienable and imprescriptible; it belongs to the Nation; no group can attribute sovereignty to itself nor can an individual arrogate it to himself".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Such a gesture might be directed at China, which Rubio accused of arrogating territory near Japan and the Philippines.

The Guardian

It was also an unwelcome power grab by the European Parliament, which arrogated to itself the right to nominate Mr Juncker and "elected" him this week.Yet national leaders manage little better.

The Economist

The second, increasingly the main line of argument by gun-rights advocates, is that's it's necessary to prevent governments from arrogating tyrannical powers to themselves.

The Economist

They think that "strict constructionists" would allow people to keep pretty much any weapon they want with no restrictions, that the federal government should be stripped of huge amounts of its regulatory power arrogated by the expansion of the "commerce clause"*, and so on.

The Economist

The worst kind of courtier is the "minister-favourite", the man who offers the sovereign intimate advice while at the same time arrogating to himself a public role in governing the state.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arrogate" when you want to emphasize the unjustified nature of a claim or assumption of power, rights, or privileges. It adds a layer of criticism or disapproval to the act.

Common error

Avoid using "arrogate" when you mean to describe the act of delegating authority or assigning a task. "Arrogate" implies an unauthorized seizure, while delegation is a legitimate transfer of responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "arrogate" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of claiming or taking something for oneself without justification. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

22%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arrogate" is a transitive verb used to describe the act of claiming or seizing something without justification. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, encyclopedias, and formal writing. Its primary function is to express disapproval of an unjustified claim. To avoid errors, remember that "arrogate" is not a synonym for "delegate". Instead of "arrogate", you could use synonyms like "usurp" or "assume" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The word choice and examples from Ludwig AI confirm that "arrogate" adds a critical edge to your writing, emphasizing the illegitimacy of the claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usurp

A more forceful and often illegal seizure of power or rights.

assume

Implies taking something for granted or without proof, less forceful than "arrogate".

seize

Suggests a sudden and forceful taking of something.

appropriate

Can mean taking something for oneself, sometimes without permission.

commandeer

To take possession of something, often for military or public use.

expropriate

Typically refers to the government taking private property for public use.

lay claim to

To assert a right or title to something.

take over

To assume control or responsibility for something.

claim

To state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence.

take

The most general term for getting possession of something.

FAQs

How to use "arrogate" in a sentence?

Use "arrogate" to describe someone claiming a right or power without justification. For example: "The dictator arrogated all power to himself."

What can I say instead of "arrogate"?

You can use alternatives like "usurp", "assume", or "seize" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "arrogate" and "assume"?

"Arrogate" implies an unjustified or presumptuous claim to something, whereas "assume" simply means to take something for granted or to take on a responsibility.

Is it correct to say someone "arrogated themselves" something?

While less common, it's grammatically correct to say someone "arrogated to themselves" something, emphasizing that they took it for their own benefit or use without permission.