co-opting
Absorbing for advantage
Co-opting is taking over something for your own purposes, often by absorbing or neutralizing it.
A movement co-opts rival ideas by adopting them superficially.
A corporation co-opts counterculture by selling it back as product.
The regime co-opted the opposition by giving them minor posts.
The word implies strategic appropriation rather than genuine embrace.
Unauthorized claiming or allocation
- borrowingTemporary taking of another's
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- commodificationTransforming into sellable goods
dilution · erasure · misrepresentation · stereotyping · exoticization · fetishization · commercialization · mainstreaming
Forcible seizure mid-transit
- commandeeringSeizing by force or authority
- seizingTaking forcible possession
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- usurpationWrongful seizure of power
expropriation · capture · diversion · repurposing · misappropriation · exploitation · manipulation · subversion
Covert entry into organization
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- subversionUndermining established authority
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
displacement · supplanting · neutralization · manipulation · compromise · appeasement · recruitment · defection
Forming a legal entity
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- assimilationAbsorbing into a whole
- integrationCombining into a whole
- enlistmentVoluntary entry into service
recruitment · affiliation · alliance · coalition · partnership · merger · annexation · engrafting
appropriation
Unauthorized claiming or allocation
- borrowingTemporary taking of another's
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- exploitationSelfish use of others
commodification · dilution · erasure · misrepresentation · stereotyping · exoticization · fetishization · commercialization · mainstreaming · gentrification
hijacking
Forcible seizure mid-transit
- commandeeringSeizing by force or authority
- seizingTaking forcible possession
- takeoverAssuming command of something
usurpation · expropriation · capture · diversion · repurposing · misappropriation · exploitation · manipulation · subversion · corruption
infiltration
Covert entry into organization
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- subversionUndermining established authority
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
overthrow · displacement · supplanting · neutralization · manipulation · compromise · appeasement · recruitment · defection · turncoat
incorporation
Forming a legal entity
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- assimilationAbsorbing into a whole
- integrationCombining into a whole
enlistment · recruitment · affiliation · alliance · coalition · partnership · merger · annexation · engrafting · embrace
co-optingrejecting
Refusing to accept
excluding · repudiating · resisting · opposing · refusing
co-optingpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
protecting · honoring · respecting · safeguarding · crediting
co-optingempowering
Giving authority or confidence
amplifying · radicalizing · energizing · galvanizing · strengthening