Arrogate
/ˈærəˌɡeɪt/
verbC2
Definition
To arrogate means to take or claim something for yourself without permission or right. It often happens when someone acts as if they have a power or right that they do not actually have. This word is used mostly in formal or serious situations.
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See It in Action
To take or claim something without right or permission
- •The manager arrogated the power to make decisions without consulting the team.
- •He arrogated credit for the project even though others did most of the work.
- •The government arrogated control over the media without legal authority.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'arrogate' like 'take,' but with a strong feeling of 'without asking' or 'without right.'
- ✓Picture someone reaching out and grabbing a prize that belongs to someone else, without saying sorry or asking.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone acts too proud and takes control over something they shouldn't.
- ✓Sounds like 'arrow-gate' → imagine an arrow shooting through a gate, breaking in without permission.
- ✓In stories, a king might arrogate power by taking control from others without their agreement.
- ✓NOT like 'ask' or 'borrow' (which are polite and allowed), arrogate is taking without permission.
- ✓NOT like 'claim' in a fair way, arrogate is claiming unfairly or wrongly.
- ✓NOT like 'receive' (given by others), arrogate is taking by oneself without approval.
Try Other Words
- •Claim: to say something is yours (Use when the person says something is theirs but may or may not have right)
- •Seize: to take quickly and by force (Use when the taking is sudden and forceful)
- •Usurp: to take power or position without right (Use in formal or serious contexts about power or authority)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: no clear prefix or suffix, root likely from Latin 'arrogare'
- •Etymology: From Latin 'arrogare,' meaning 'to claim for oneself,' from 'ad-' (to) + 'rogare' (to ask)
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 16th century to mean claiming something unjustly or without right
- •Modern usage: Mostly used in formal writing about unfair or illegal claiming of rights, power, or privileges
Reflect & Connect
•Can arrogating power ever be justified, or is it always wrong? Why?
•How does arrogating something affect relationships between people or groups?
Fill in the blanks
1.The CEO arrogated the right to ___ new company policies without asking the board.
2.When someone arrogates credit for a team’s work, it can cause ___ among coworkers.
3.Unlike asking permission, to arrogate means to take something ___.
4.The dictator arrogated control over the country by ___ the legal process.
5.Leaders who arrogate power often ___ trust and respect from their people.
6.To arrogate authority is different from to ___ authority given by others.
7.If a person arrogates privileges, they usually do so ___ others’ agreement.