WordLens

co-opt

1 of 1verb
/koʊˈɑpt/
Forms:co-opts,co-opting,co-opted,co-opted
1

to select or bring someone into a group as a colleague or fellow member

  • The committee co-opted several new members to strengthen its team.
  • She was co-opted into the board for her expertise.
  • They decided to co-opt a senior researcher into the advisory panel.
  • The council co-opted young professionals to diversify perspectives.
  • He was co-opted into the committee after demonstrating leadership skills.
2

to take something for one's own use, often without permission

  • The designer co-opted traditional patterns in her modern collection.
  • Protest slogans were co-opted by commercial advertisers.
  • The government co-opted the grassroots movement's language to appeal to voters.
  • Certain symbols have been co-opted to serve political agendas.
  • He co-opted the idea for his own project.