\ yu̇-ˈsərp 
also -ˈzərp \
also -ˈzərp \usurped; usurping; usurps
Definition of usurp
1a : to seize and hold (office, place, functions, powers, etc.) in possession by force or without right
usurp a throne
b : to take or make use of without right
usurped the rights to her life story
2 : to take the place of by or as if by force : supplant must not let stock responses based on inherited prejudice usurp careful judgment
: to seize or exercise authority or possession wrongfully
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Other Words from usurp
usurpation \ ˌyü-sər-ˈpā-shən also ˌyü-zər- \ noun
also ˌyü-zər- \ noun
Examples of usurp in a Sentence
Some people have accused city council members of trying to usurp the mayor's power.
attempting to usurp the throne
Recent Examples on the Web State legislatures can prohibit local entities from participating in direct federal-grant programs that usurp their traditional prerogative.
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Derek Cohen, National Review, "The Biden-Harris Antipathy toward Guns Portends Trouble for Law Enforcement," 25 Oct. 2020 Judges over time have instead used the Constitution to impose their own moral and political preferences, and even to usurp power the people gave to the other two branches of government.
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Brian Hagedorn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Opinion: Originalism, which Amy Coney Barrett espouses, simply means the words of the Constitution are the law.," 15 Oct. 2020 James may never usurp Michael Jordan in the greatest-of-all-time debate.
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Marc Stein, New York Times, "Jimmy Butler Was Made for Miami," 14 Oct. 2020 Ward took over as state party chairwoman in 2017 in a move that appeared to usurp traditional Republican leadership.
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AZCentral.com, "‘They scare the politicians’: How the Patriot movement’s extreme views found a home in the GOP," 1 Oct. 2020 YouTube is entering the race to usurp TikTok's dominance in the short-form video space with YouTube Shorts, a new tool that will allow users to record and upload 15-second videos straight from their mobile phones.
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Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, "YouTube Launches TikTok Competitor in India," 14 Sep. 2020 In Teton County, where much of the pandemic response has been local, officials took their own initiative with an app, only to have a state effort usurp them.
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Gregory Barber, Wired, "Why Contact-Tracing Apps Haven’t Slowed Covid-19 in the US," 8 Sep. 2020 But Peterson should usurp whatever carries the Lions had planned for Scarbrough on the goal line and in short-yardage situations, where his physical running style has not dissipated with age.
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Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions sign Adrian Peterson. Here's what it means for team's other running backs," 6 Sep. 2020 She was accused nearly a year ago of trying to usurp power and prestige from the queen.
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Kocha Olarn, Helen Regan And Joshua Berlinger, CNN, "Thai King reinstates his royal consort after declaring her 'untainted'," 3 Sep. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'usurp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for usurp
usurp
verb English Language Learners Definition of usurp
formal : to take and keep (something, such as power) in a forceful or violent way and especially without the right to do so
See the full definition for usurp in the English Language Learners Dictionary
usurp
verb\ yu̇-ˈsərp , -ˈzərp \
, -ˈzərp \usurped; usurping
Kids Definition of usurp
: to take and hold unfairly or by force
The traitors usurp power from the king.
usurp
verb\ yu̇-ˈsərp, -ˈzərp \
\Legal Definition of usurp
: to seize and hold (as office, place, or powers) in possession by force or without right
the courts may not usurp the powers of the legislature
: to seize or exercise authority or possession wrongfully
Other Words from usurp
usurpation \ ˌyü-sər-ˈpā-shən, -zər- \ noun
\ nounusurper \ yu̇-ˈsər-pər, -ˈzər- \ noun
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Time Traveler for usurp
The first known use of usurp was in the 14th century
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