usurp

verb

\ yu̇-ˈsərp

also -ˈzərp

usurped; usurping; usurps

Definition of usurp

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to seize or exercise authority or possession wrongfully

Other Words from usurp Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about usurp

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Usurp was borrowed into English in the 14th century from the Anglo-French word usorper, which in turn derives from the Latin verb usurpare, meaning "to take possession of without a legal claim." Usurpare itself was formed by combining usu (a form of usus, meaning "use") and rapere ("to seize"). Other descendants of rapere in English include rapacious ("given to seizing or extorting what is coveted"), rapine ("the seizing and carrying away of things by force"), rapt (the earliest sense of which is "lifted up and carried away"), and ravish ("to seize and take away by violence").

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

T-Series is poised to usurp PewDiePie as the most popular channel on the platform, but fans and creators have banded together to keep Kjellberg at the very top. — Julia Alexander, The Verge, "First printers, now the Wall Street Journal," 17 Dec. 2018 Johnson, argued Stevens, had tried to usurp Congress’s power to make law. — Erick Trickey, Washington Post, "‘Kill the beast’: The impeachment trial that nearly took down a president 150 years ago," 16 May 2018 As marketers allocate more dollars to digital video and social platforms to reach consumers, digital ad spending is usurping traditional ad spending in mediums like television, radio, print and outdoor, Ms. Peart said. — Alexandra Bruell, WSJ, "Amazon’s Ad Business May Be Growing Faster Than Thought," 20 Feb. 2019 Property owners affected by the wall will sue, and the House of Representatives will surely sue as well on grounds that Mr. Trump is usurping its constitutional power of the purse. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Trump’s Political Emergency," 14 Feb. 2019 If successful, the launch would usurp the current record of 37 satellites launched on a Russian rocket in 2014. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "India Plans to Launch 104 Satellites With Just One Rocket," 31 Jan. 2017 The problem is that the federal government has gradually usurped the powers of the states. — WSJ, "Federal Incursion Explains Growth of Double Jeopardy," 13 Dec. 2018 Because today’s pretty girl can easily be usurped by tomorrow’s pretty girl, and so on and so on. — Elizabeth Wellington, Philly.com, "Here's to the day when being the prettiest girl in the room won't matter | Elizabeth Wellington," 13 June 2018 The Republican chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Sen. Mike Crapo, sent letters of protest accusing both banks of trying to usurp the role of policy makers. — Alexandra Olson, The Seattle Times, "A look at companies embroiled in recent political debates," 4 Sep. 2018

These 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.