arrogate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency - Academic/Literary)Formal, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “arrogate” mean?
to claim or take something for oneself, without justification or right.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to claim or take something for oneself, without justification or right
To appropriate, seize, or assume control over something (often abstract, like authority, power, or a role) in an overbearing, presumptuous, or unjustified manner
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally formal and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Identically negative, suggesting arrogance and illegitimacy.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, with a slight edge in British legal or historical academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “arrogate” in a Sentence
[NP] arrogates [NP] to [Reflexive Pronoun] (He arrogated the power to himself.)[NP] arrogates [NP] (The council arrogated the authority.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arrogate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee chairman arrogated the sole right to approve expenditures.
- One should not arrogate to oneself the mantle of moral superiority.
American English
- The governor arrogated control over the emergency funds.
- He arrogated the title of 'founder' despite joining years later.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb derived from 'arrogate'.
American English
- Actions taken arrogatingly... (non-standard, highly awkward). Use 'presumptuously'.
adjective
British English
- There is no direct adjective form 'arrogative' in standard use. Use 'arrogant' or 'presumptuous'.
American English
- The adjective 'arrogated' is the past participle, used adjectivally (e.g., 'arrogated powers').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The new CEO arrogated all decision-making power, bypassing the board.'
Academic
Most common in political science, history, legal studies, and critical theory to describe illegitimate power grabs. 'The treatise argues that the state arrogates the right to define citizenship.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in legal contexts regarding rights and authority.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arrogate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arrogate”
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He arrogated.' – incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'abrogate' (to repeal a law).
- Using it for physical objects (e.g., 'He arrogated the book.' – very awkward).
- Misspelling as 'arogate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Usurp' specifically means to take a position of power (like a throne or office) by force or illegally. 'Arrogate' is broader, meaning to claim any right, power, or privilege for oneself without justification; it focuses more on the presumptuous act of claiming.
Almost never. Its core meaning contains a negative judgement of illegitimacy and arrogance. Using it neutrally would be highly unusual and likely misunderstood.
The pattern '[Subject] arrogates [Object]' is most common, where the object is an abstract noun like power, right, or authority. The pattern 'arrogate [something] to oneself' is also frequent, emphasizing the self-directed action.
Yes, they share the same Latin root 'rogare' (to ask) with the prefix 'ad-' (to). 'Arrogant' means believing oneself to be superior (asking too much of oneself in terms of status). 'Arrogate' is the verbal action of putting that belief into practice by taking something.
to claim or take something for oneself, without justification or right.
Arrogate is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Arrogate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈær.ə.ɡeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈer.ə.ɡeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the verb.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an arrogant person taking something for themselves. 'ARR-OGATE' sounds like 'arrogant gate' – an arrogant person gate-crashing and taking what isn't theirs.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER/STATUS IS A POSSESSION THAT CAN BE STOLEN. AUTHORITY IS AN OBJECT TO BE SEIZED.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'arrogate' CORRECTLY?