annex
verb (transitive)
UK/ˈæn.ɛks/US/ˈæn.ɛks/
To incorporate a territory into the domain of a city, country, or state.
Example Sentences
The country decided to annex the neighboring territory after the treaty expired.
During the war, several regions were annexed by the expanding empire.
The city plans to annex the suburban areas to accommodate the growing population.
Historical conflicts often involved attempts to annex strategic lands for economic and military advantages.
The company annexed the smaller firm to expand its market presence and resources.
Efforts to annex the disputed region were met with resistance from the local population.
After the successful annexation, the new province was integrated into the national governance structure.
The government faced international criticism for its move to annex the contested island.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
noun (countable)
UK/ˈæn.ɛks/US/ˈæn.ɛks/
A building joined to or associated with a main building, providing additional space or accommodations.
Example Sentences
The school built an annex to accommodate the increasing number of students.
They rented an annex to host the large conference, ensuring there was enough space for all attendees.
The office complex includes a main building and several annexes for different departments.
During the renovation, an annex was added to the house to create a larger kitchen area.
The museum's new annex features modern exhibition halls and interactive displays.
To meet the demands of the expanding business, the company constructed an annex adjacent to the headquarters.
The hospital's annex houses specialized clinics and additional patient rooms.
An annex to the library was opened, providing quiet study areas and additional resources for students.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
To add or attach a smaller part to something bigger.“Annex” can function both as a verb and a noun. As a verb, it typically means to add or incorporate a smaller or separate entity into a larger domain—often referring to territories, buildings, or organizations. Historically, one country might annex neighboring lands to expand its borders, sometimes igniting controversy or conflict when it occurs without mutual agreement. In another setting, an institution might annex an adjacent building to accommodate additional offices or classrooms, integrating it under the same management. When you use “annex” in writing or speech, clarity is essential: specify what is being annexed and to which larger body or structure it is joined. For instance, “The government planned to annex the nearby province,” or “Our library annex offers extra study rooms.” This clarifies the action (incorporation) and its scope (whether it’s a territory, a building wing, or a related extension).Within legal or political contexts, “annex” often appears in discussions of international relations or public policy, where treaties, votes, or military force might play roles in the annexation process. In corporate or organizational environments, the term can signal a shift of resources—like an office annex to handle overflow staff. Meanwhile, individuals might casually refer to an “annex” if they create a small outbuilding or an extended wing for a personal home project.Regardless of setting, “annex” underscores the act of making something part of a larger whole, often implying a deliberate or formal step. It can connote positive expansion or unwelcome takeover, depending on perspective. Such nuance makes “annex” a charged term, especially in political or cultural scenarios, where locals might resist becoming part of an external authority. By specifying motivations, effects on the community, and relevant legal frameworks, you can use “annex” with precision—revealing whether it’s a peaceful extension or a contentious seizure.
Alternatives
Depending on the context, you might choose synonyms like “add on,” “append,” or “incorporate.” “Add on” is more casual, appropriate for everyday usage such as when you expand your house by building a new room. “Append” often appears in technical or literary contexts, like attaching an appendix to a document. In political and territorial discussions, “incorporate” is a frequently used alternative, highlighting formal integration processes. If you’re describing a more contentious or forceful takeover, “seize” or “appropriate” might capture that nuance—particularly in historical or international incidents. For buildings or structural expansions, “extension” or “wing” can replace “annex,” stressing the physical space being added rather than the legal or political dimension. Remember to adapt your choice based on whether you want to highlight cooperation, formality, or conflict. For instance, “annex” is more official and often associated with a formal or governmental act, while words like “add on” or “extend” maintain a lighter tone and simpler meaning.
Writing
In more formal writing, “annex” can describe legal or administrative processes that merge two entities. For example, a municipality might annex a neighboring district, subjecting it to city zoning laws and taxation. In such documentation, clarify the legislation or authority enabling the annexation, the steps taken (such as a referendum or council vote), and the ramifications for local governance. By using specific details—like the timeline, parties involved, and stated motivations—you create a thorough depiction of the annexation process. You could note whether the annexation aims to unify public utilities, accommodate population growth, or strengthen administrative oversight. When discussing structural expansions, elaborate on architectural plans and how the annex seamlessly integrates with the main building. In either case, providing clear reasons and anticipated outcomes helps readers gauge the practicality and potential controversies. In historical or political analysis, “annex” may serve as a focal point for discussing shifts in power. For instance, exploring how colonial empires annexed distant territories offers insight into broader themes of resource acquisition, cultural integration, or resistance from local populations. Such an approach emphasizes the word’s resonance in geopolitics. Whether drafting a research paper, news article, or corporate memo, refine your usage of “annex” with relevant data, historical context, or policy references. Doing so ensures readers fully grasp the significance and scope of the annexation, be it a city block or an entire province.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you might use “annex” more loosely. For instance, someone renovating their house might say, “We’re building an annex to serve as a guest room.” While it’s technically an additional space, using “annex” lightly signals you see it as a distinct yet connected segment of the main property. Similarly, if your company rents extra office space across the street, calling it “our new annex” can sound semi-official but still friendly. With friends, you might mention a local museum’s newly opened annex, or talk about how a favorite café extended into the adjacent shop. Such expansions often evoke excitement or curiosity—people may look forward to exploring the added space or new services. Occasionally, “annex” shows up in casual humor: “I’m going to annex the couch for the night,” jokingly implying you’re taking it over. While less common in casual settings than phrases like “add on” or “expand,” “annex” can still offer a distinctive, slightly formal twist.
Etymology
“Annex” traces to the Latin verb “annectere,” meaning “to bind to,” formed by combining “ad-” (to, toward) and “nectere” (to tie or connect). Over time, through Old French “annexer,” the term arrived in Middle English as “annex,” carrying the idea of joining or attaching. Initially, it often appeared in legal and ecclesiastical documents, referring to property or territories brought under a broader domain. As European powers engaged in expansionism, “annex” became a staple in describing land acquisitions, whether peaceful (through treaties) or forced (through military means). This history imbues “annex” with political weight—especially when discussing contested territories. In architecture and infrastructure, the notion of “annexing” eventually extended to physical expansions of buildings, so the word now bridges both political and structural spheres. Thus, “annex” has persisted as a versatile concept, spanning administrative, geographical, and architectural usage. Its linguistic journey, from Latin roots to modern vocabulary, reflects centuries of attaching smaller entities to larger frameworks—whether those frameworks involve national borders, institutional authority, or the practical need to expand living or working space.