annexation
Annexation is the formal act of acquiring something, especially territory, by conquest or occupation. It represents a unilateral administrative action where a state proclaims its sovereignty over territory outside its domain.
Examples
3 of 5The local residents were outraged by the annexation of the community garden for a new parking lot.
The people living nearby were very angry that the community garden was taken over to build a parking lot.
The international community issued a joint statement condemning the illegal annexation of the coastal region.
Global leaders released a shared message criticizing the unlawful takeover of the land by the sea.
It felt like a total annexation of my desk when my colleague moved all his files onto it.
It felt like my coworker completely took over my workspace when he put all his folders there.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Add' + 'Next' + 'Nation'. When a country wants to ADD the NEXT NATION to its own borders, that is ANNEXATION.
Quick Quiz
The government's ________ of the border province led to immediate international sanctions.
Correct!
The correct answer is: annexation
Examples
The local residents were outraged by the annexation of the community garden for a new parking lot.
everydayThe people living nearby were very angry that the community garden was taken over to build a parking lot.
The international community issued a joint statement condemning the illegal annexation of the coastal region.
formalGlobal leaders released a shared message criticizing the unlawful takeover of the land by the sea.
It felt like a total annexation of my desk when my colleague moved all his files onto it.
informalIt felt like my coworker completely took over my workspace when he put all his folders there.
The 1845 annexation of Texas remains a significant case study in American expansionism and legal theory.
academicThe act of Texas joining the US in 1845 is still an important example used to study American growth and laws.
The conglomerate's aggressive annexation of smaller tech firms has raised concerns regarding market competition.
businessThe large company's forceful acquisition of small technology businesses has made people worry about fair competition.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Treaty of Annexation
A formal agreement detailing the terms of a territory being taken over.
De facto annexation
A situation where land is treated as annexed in practice, even if not legally recognized.
Creeping annexation
The slow, gradual process of taking over territory over a long period.
Often Confused With
Annex is the verb (the action) or a noun for a supplementary building; annexation is specifically the noun for the political process.
Acquisition is a general term for getting something (like a skill or a company); annexation is specifically used for the forceful or formal taking of territory.
Usage Notes
The term is most frequently used in geopolitical contexts to describe a powerful nation taking over land from a weaker one. It usually carries a negative or controversial connotation in modern international law.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'annexation' to describe buying a house or getting a gift; it should be reserved for larger-scale territorial or organizational takeovers.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Add' + 'Next' + 'Nation'. When a country wants to ADD the NEXT NATION to its own borders, that is ANNEXATION.
Word Origin
From the Medieval Latin 'annexatio', derived from 'annectere', meaning 'to tie to' or 'to bind to'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Historically, annexation was a common tool of empire-building, but in the post-WWII era, it is generally considered a violation of the UN Charter.
Quick Quiz
The government's ________ of the border province led to immediate international sanctions.
Correct!
The correct answer is: annexation
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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