Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

usurpative

adjective
usur·​pa·​tive | \ yüˈsərpətiv sometimes -ˈzər-\

Definition of usurpative

: of or constituting usurpation : usurping the tyranny of some usurpative minority — Nineteenth Century & After

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for usurpative

Late Latin usurpativus wrongly used, from Latin usurpatus (past participle of usurpare to usurp) + -ivus -ive

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about usurpative

Share usurpative

Dictionary Entries near usurpative

usurious

usurous

usurp

usurpative

usurpatory

usurpature

usurper

Statistics for usurpative

Look-up Popularity

Comments on usurpative

What made you want to look up usurpative? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

imbroglio

a complex dispute or argument

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games