acaparar

to monopolise

verb ah-kah-pah-RAHR Rare

Origin: From Italian accaparrare (to secure with a deposit), via French accaparer.

Also means

to hoard

Usage Note

Acaparar means to seize or hold an excessive share of something — attention, a market, goods. Acaparar la atención ('to monopolise attention') is a very common collocation. During shortages it specifically means hoarding commodities (acaparar papel higiénico); the agent noun is acaparador/a.

Examples

"El protagonista acapara toda la atención del público."

Natural Translation

The lead actor monopolises all the audience's attention.

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