🗳️ Adding by decision 🤝 Absorbing opponents

co-optation

9.1

Adding someone to a group by decision of its current members

noun
/koʊˌɑpˈteɪʃən/

Formal

: cooptación

In some organizations, co-optation is used to quickly fill vacated positions.

Examples

He objected to the co-optation process, arguing it bypassed the usual democratic procedures.
The committee's co-optation of new members was controversial.
The board's decision for co-optation of new members surprised the entire committee.
Many criticized the co-optation process as undemocratic.
The council's decision for co-optation of an expert raised concerns about transparency.
Through co-optation, the organization was able to strengthen its leadership team with experienced members.
He felt the co-optation of new stakeholders limited the input from existing members.

Synonyms

naming

vsco-optation

Formal

4 3.5

Choosing someone for a job or official position, not by election

focuses on selection by existing members rather than general appointment

co-option

vsco-optation

7.2

The selection of a new member by existing members without an open election, for example in a committee or board

is the same meaning but uses a different noun form

Antonyms

dismissal

49 3.3

To remove someone from their job against their will

How Official

election

∞ 1.0

appointment

Formal

183 2.5

co-optation

Formal

9.1

inclusion

65 3.7

invitation

526 1.0

Surface Forms

co-optation singular

co-optations plural

Morphology

co-optation = co-opt (transparent) = co + opt + ation

Formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ation' to the verb 'co‑opt', so the meaning 'the act of co-opting' is directly derived.

Etymology

Co-optation comes from Latin co- 'together' and optare 'to choose', the same root as option and opt. So, it means a group 'choosing together' to add someone, often by the decision of current members instead of an election.