as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the mayor usurped the school board's authority when he fired the principal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of usurp
Comments Netflix's Sirens finds Milly Alcock's Simone usurping Julianne Moore's Michaela as queen of the Kell family.
—
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 May 2025
Looking ahead, a rematch with last year’s runner-up Jasmine Paolini could await in the quarterfinals, followed by the woman who usurped her as the WTA queen, Aryna Sabalenka, in the last four.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 22 May 2025
My aunt couldn’t believe Trump was usurping the war from a country that bore such a huge brunt of Hitler’s invasion.
—Sasha Vasilyuk, Time, 8 May 2025
The president has usurped the war power from Congress.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 May 2025
Looking ahead, a rematch with last year’s runner-up Jasmine Paolini could await in the quarterfinals, followed by the woman who usurped her as the WTA queen, Aryna Sabalenka, in the last four.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 22 May 2025
My aunt couldn’t believe Trump was usurping the war from a country that bore such a huge brunt of Hitler’s invasion.
—Sasha Vasilyuk, Time, 8 May 2025
The president has usurped the war power from Congress.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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In 2024, the DEA seized more than 60 million counterfeit pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationwide — enough to deliver more than 380 million lethal doses.—
Mark Michalek,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
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Speakers at the conference, aimed at helping Republicans hold the House and Senate, seized on Mamdani’s win as a symbol of the Democratic Party’s hard-left turn, using it to paint the entire party with the same brush.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The Pennsylvania State Game Commission confiscated the wildcats as part of an ongoing investigation.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
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Police would have the power to ticket, impound vehicles, confiscate personal property, revoke licenses and levy heavy fines.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Also starring Clooney in a leading role, The Monuments Men tells the true story of a group of museum curators, art historians and architects tasked with an unlikely mission: tracking down and recovering priceless works of art stolen by the Nazis before they’re destroyed forever.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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And like the most recent case out of Iowa, stealing someone else’s flag to burn could also be criminal, the organization said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
Verb
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In the few months since its launch, JD.com has grabbed 7.5% of China’s food-delivery market after its daily meal orders reached 20 million on May 13, according to a May 14 research note from Blue Lotus Capital Advisors.—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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To help keep your home safe (and know when your Prime Day packages arrive), grab a Ring Battery Doorbell with Indoor Cam for under $150.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Balloon animals and face painting kept children occupied, as did an axe-throwing exhibition.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
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The royal design that once occupied solely libraries, studies, and lodges has found new fans By Anna Elise Anderson June 17, 2025 All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors.—
Anna Elise Anderson,
Architectural Digest,
17 June 2025
Verb
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There, stairs lead up to a second floor that can be used for storage or converted into additional space for guests.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
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Boos rained down much of the evening, with frustration directed at the referees and the Checkers’ inability to convert on their powerplay opportunities.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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