usurp

verb

yu̇-ˈsərp How to pronounce usurp (audio)
Definition of usurpnext
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right the mayor usurped the school board's authority when he fired the principal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of usurp Its title as highest grossing film was usurped in the 1990s by another Spielberg film, Jurassic Park. — Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2025 Kyle Shanahan’s system elevates almost every QB, but Lance lasted only eight games (four starts) with the 49ers, then failed to usurp Cooper Rush in Dallas. — Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 This began a multi-decade attempt by George to usurp power from Edward and take the throne for himself. — Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025 The moves into government agencies by Musk, with Trump’s blessing, have led to charges by Democrats that the White House is usurping Congress’s power to allocate government spending. — Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
  1. seize
  2. confiscate
  3. steal
  4. grab
  5. occupy
  6. convert
Verb
  • The area around the strait in the past has seen Iran seize commercial ships and purportedly launch attacks since President Donald Trump first unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers.
    — Graham Underwood, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Both deals were first violated in 2014 when Putin seized Crimea and backed Russian separatist forces in the Donbas region.
    — Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of seize
Verb
  • This comes after authorities confiscated a deer that a Pennsylvania woman had been keeping as a pet earlier this year, as previously reported by PEOPLE.
    — Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Others believe that their children are entitled to a decent lunch and complain when schools confiscate their child's food after ordering in.
    — Annabelle Canela, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • New threat intelligence has confirmed that, across 2024, a total of 3.2 billion credentials were stolen.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Three men have been convicted for stealing and selling Maurizio Cattelan’s golden toilet from Blenheim Palace in England in 2019, according to a press release from Crown Prosecution Service today.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of steal
Verb
  • He’s minimized the walks, partly due to his willingness to use his curveball early in counts for strikes to get ahead and grab count leverage.
    — Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Oh my God, so amazing to grab that artist for Charlotte. ...
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • If Frank Carollo wins the District 3 seat and serves the full four-year term, a Carollo brother will have occupied the seat for 20 years.
    — Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
  • But people who occupy public spaces thinking that kids won't be a part of it are beyond me.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • Over centuries, bacteria broke down ammonia in guano, converting it into nitrates that accumulated in cave soil.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Colorado’s top unit was in the middle of heading to the bench for a change, and that led to a very unexpected shorthanded 2-on-1 that Leafs forward Steven Lorentz converted at 2:53 of the final period.
    — Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of convert

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Cite this Entry

“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of usurp for Spanish Speakers

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