'Buy-outs' is a term frequently used in the investment business which means to acquire a company or a controlling stake of it, or to re-purchase shares that were previously owned by shareholders. The concept is common for corporate takeovers, overhauls and restructuring the company structure. The term has several synonyms that have emerged recently such as acquisition, takeover, consolidation, purchase, and privatization. Buy-ins, which are the opposite of buy-outs, also mean investing in another company by purchasing a smaller share of ownership or a strategic partnership. The buy-out process is a complex one that involves various stages of negotiation, due diligence, and legal proceedings. The synonyms of buy-outs accurately describe the process of acquiring a company or taking over its shares to gain control of its assets.