1. to bring someone into a group as a new member
2. to take over or make use of something for one’s own purposes

Examples

• The committee decided to coopt three new members before the next meeting.
• The board will coopt a financial expert to help with the budget crisis.
• The movement was coopted by political parties seeking votes.
• Corporate interests tried to coopt the environmental campaign.
• They coopted her innovative ideas and claimed them as their own.
• The organization coopted several community leaders to gain credibility.