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 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 California courts have repeatedly refused to rewrite unconstitutional tax statutes on the grounds that this usurps the role of the Legislature or, in the case of an initiative, the people. — Jared Walczak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2026 Chemsdine Talbi is a ‘big moments’ player but was usurped on the right side of midfield by full-back-by-trade Trai Hume toward the end of last season. — Luke Bosher, New York Times, 31 July 2026 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 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
  • Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Biggs, 67, has seized on the refusal, repeatedly challenging Hobbs to debate and making her absence itself part of his campaign message.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • 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
  • And confiscating them would be legally and diplomatically more complicated than simply freezing them.
    — Magdalena Del Valle, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • Winona decided not to replace their cameras after several were stolen.
    — Ashley Grams, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In February, a police officer pulled over a Chevrolet Tahoe based on a false positive by a Flock Safety license plate reader that reported the plate stolen.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Profanity also grabs attention since the shock value of an F-bomb can lead to more media coverage and clips circulating on social media.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Alice slowly gets Marshall to lie on the floor, grabs the bottle of whiskey, and pours it into his mouth with glee.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The craft were shot down over 16 Russian regions, occupied Crimea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The primary bedroom and bathroom occupies the top level as copious loft over the living room.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • Nashville then moved two goals clear in the 56th minute when Cristian Espinoza sent a pass across toward the near post and Surridge converted nonchalantly with a beautiful heel flick.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Construction is finally underway on the former Coca-Cola bottling plant on Stockton Boulevard, which will be converted into a 146-room Marriott Element hotel by early 2028, nearly a decade after Leeland Properties acquired the site.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of convert

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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 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of usurp for Spanish Speakers

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