usurper

noun

usurp·​er yu̇-ˈsər-pər 

also

-ˈzər- 

plural usurpers

: one who usurps something: such as

a

: one who seizes and holds office, power, position, etc., by force or without right

… they are working through the harrowing part in which Frederick, the usurper of his brother's dukedom, banishes his niece Rosalind from his court.

—Lawrence Malkin

At 19, she's the besotted lover of King Richard III—until he's slain by the usurper King Henry VII and she's forced to become Henry's wife.

—Joanna Powell

b

: one who takes the place of another by or as if by force

The new people have come, the usurpers, with their private jets and home theaters … , scaring the waterfowl and scattering the discreet and peaceful ease.

—Dwight Garner

c

: one who takes or makes use of something without right

For example, a co-owner may alone take all the necessary steps for the preservation of the property, including the institution of suits against trespassers or usurpers.

—Louisiana Civil Code

Examples of usurper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ultimately, her goal seemed to be to transform Daemon from a potential usurper into a loyal servant to his wife, Rhaenyra. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 5 Aug. 2024

And this time, his own son, Jackson (John Owen Lowe), is among his potential usurpers, as the Season 2 trailer reveals. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 8 July 2024

His replacement could not be perceived as a usurper, put in place by editorial boards, donors and disgruntled congressional representatives over the will of the voters. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024

Said veteran is back on top, though its former usurper is hot on its heels. —Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above