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
Test Your Vocabulary
Odd Habits and Quirks
-
- Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share usurp
Time Traveler for usurp
The first known use of usurp was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century