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 Mikesic said LivaNova’s actions usurped Cansler’s ability to request information from the company’s corporate representatives and witnesses as her attorneys prepared for trial. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 Season 2 was a major improvement, which was then usurped by season 3, which brought in new uniforms, new sets, and Michael Piller to head up the writing team. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026 Since around 2020, the literary precinct of the social-media platform TikTok seems to have usurped older marketing and publicity strategies as a primary driver of sales. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, his long-suffering wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), is warding off hundreds of suitors eager to usurp Odysseus’ throne back home. — ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026 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 next season Keegan was joint top scorer as Liverpool were champions of England for the first time in seven years and also seized the club’s historic first European trophy.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Internet sleuths, predictably, have seized on this ambiguity as proof of malfeasance.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • After Germany declared war on Russia, Freundlich and his colleagues were captured by the Russian army and their equipment was confiscated.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Hana reported that plainclothes agents confiscated phones and electronic equipment and that Seyedabdollahi was subsequently held in solitary confinement and at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence detention facility in Isfahan.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • Officers say six firearms were recovered at one of their homes, including the one stolen in Miami Springs.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Thursday night, though, a different kind of football stole the spotlight at Sanford Stadium.
    — Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • After grabbing an early 83-81 lead in overtime, the Dream gave up eight straight points to the Fever, who never lost the lead in overtime again, although the Dream got within two points, 93-91, with 10 seconds left.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The little breaths, the cloth grabs and punches were all deliberate.
    — Simon Thompson, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Zelenskyy said Russia had occupied about 990 square kilometers since the start of the year, while Ukraine had restored control over roughly 820 square kilometers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the aging bachelor lived as something of a recluse in the Independence mansion occupied by multiple other relatives and in-laws.
    — Dan Kelly August 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • Timo Werner converted from the penalty spot to open the scoring in the fourth minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Within a mind-spinning eight months, Zori Timeless Hotel was born, cleverly converted from the old pension into four luxurious residences within the confines of strict planning regulations that forced them to use the existing space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
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 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of usurp for Spanish Speakers

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