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 Eggers made his name by deriding, and then usurping, the literary establishment, in the process defying the tired binary of pure artist versus sellout. — Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026 The update indicated that Maersk is set to fall behind CMA CGM for second-largest container shipping capacity worldwide by July 2027, while Hapag-Lloyd could be usurped by Ocean Network Express (ONE) in February 2028. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 July 2026 Beulah's spurned heir Joaquin (Juan Pablo Raba) calls up the mysterious Mariana (Raoul Max Trujillo) to help with his many problems, which include his ranch-usurping half-brother Rob-Will and those Duttons from Montana. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026 The wedding broke the record for the largest single-location mass wedding at the time, until it was usurped in 2023, per Guinness World Records. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 1 July 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
  • At home, Indian authorities moved aggressively, seizing his properties and luxury assets, from high-end cars to jewelry and artworks.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • President Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who had originally seized power in 2021 from Suu Kyi’s civilian government, has been trying to win political legitimacy since the takeover and resume relations with ASEAN.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Reuters — The Thai teen behind a deadly school shooting outside Bangkok had an air gun confiscated by a teacher last year and had watched violent content online, police said on Sunday, as the government promised new safety protocols for schools.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But Gale found an unlikely refuge in books that had been confiscated from the belongings of new members.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • Louis Varland tied the game in the ninth, and the Cubs won 3-2 in 11 innings when Crow-Armstrong scored from second after stealing third and coming home on a throwing error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Unsurprisingly, firms reaping profits from the AI boom steal the show.
    — Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Vandersloot also had 10 assists and Cardoso grabbed 13 rebounds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • When the Almaden Barnes & Noble closed last year after 26 years there was an emotional reaction from the community about a place to browse for books, magazines, puzzles and even grab a cup of coffee.
    — Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Israeli forces currently occupy more than half of Gaza, in the east and south of the territory.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Some occupy the farmhouses on the lower slope, overlooking the cobbled courtyard and Mediterranean herb gardens, while others are slightly further up and offer panoramic views of the Panzano valley.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • Houston defender Allysha Chapman drew a penalty in the 78th minute and Rader converted to pull the Dash (5-8-5) even at home.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • But Sabalenka converted a spinny kick second-serve ace, keeping her faint hopes alive.
    — Lukas Weese, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of convert

Browse Nearby Words

usuals
usurp
usurpation
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Cite this Entry

“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of usurp for Spanish Speakers

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