co-opted

Absorbed into establishment

Co-opted describes something that has been taken over and used for a different purpose than originally intended, often by a dominant group absorbing or neutralizing a challenge.

A radical movement gets co-opted when mainstream forces adopt its language while stripping away its substance: The revolution was co-opted by corporate marketing.

Someone co-opted onto a committee was appointed rather than elected.

appropriation

usurp

Seize without right

commandeerSeize for official purposes
hijackSeize a moving vehicle
seizeTake suddenly, forcibly

arrogate · expropriate · misappropriate · confiscate · annex · takeover · absorb · capture · claim · divert

integration

assimilate

Absorb and incorporate fully

incorporateAbsorb into something larger
absorbTake in fully
mergeCombine into unity

subsume · blend · amalgamate · fold in · embrace · welcome · include · naturalize · acculturate · conform

political

partisanship

Loyalty to one faction

lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
coalitionTemporary alliance for action
grassrootsCommon people as political base

incumbent · bipartisanship · caucus · gerrymandering · constituency · polarization · filibuster · whip · pundit · populism

subversion

undermine

Weaken by stealth

corruptDishonest, open to bribes
pervertCorrupt or distort
distortTwist from original form

twist · exploit · manipulate · weaponize · repurpose · redirect · transform · reframe · rebrand · misuse

Opposites

absorption/appropriation

co-optedrejected

Refused or turned away

excluded · rebuffed · refused · resisted · repelled

autonomy/independence

co-optedindependent

Free from external control

autonomous · self-determined · sovereign · liberated · emancipated

authenticity/integrity

co-optedauthentic

Verified as original

genuine · uncorrupted · unadulterated · original · grassroots

Family

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G