co-opt

choose or elect as a fellow member or colleague

• “The church members co-opted individuals from similar backgrounds to replenish the congregation”

neutralize or win over through assimilation into an established group

• “We co-opted the independent minority tribes by pulling them into the Northern Alliance”

appoint summarily or commandeer

• “The army tried to co-opt peasants into civil defence groups”

take or assume for one''s own use

• “He co-opted the criticism and embraced it”