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
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Recent Examples of usurp
The opposition’s narrative that Hollywood is usurping home rule is entirely backward.
—
Keith Poliakoff, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
Though its glam environs were eventually usurped by Hawaii’s many newer luxury resorts, an extensive renovation in 2008 gave the Mauna Kea an update without sacrificing its throwback charm.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 May 2026
After opting against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan last summer, Chelsea have stuck with Robert Sanchez as No 1 — bar a brief spell where Filip Jorgensen usurped him in March.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2026
In a sane world, Congress would put a stop to it and reassert its own power to regulate import duties; unfortunately, this particular GOP Congress seems content enough to be a lapdog watching Trump usurp them and damage the economy and our international standing.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Keith Poliakoff, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
Though its glam environs were eventually usurped by Hawaii’s many newer luxury resorts, an extensive renovation in 2008 gave the Mauna Kea an update without sacrificing its throwback charm.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 May 2026
After opting against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan last summer, Chelsea have stuck with Robert Sanchez as No 1 — bar a brief spell where Filip Jorgensen usurped him in March.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2026
In a sane world, Congress would put a stop to it and reassert its own power to regulate import duties; unfortunately, this particular GOP Congress seems content enough to be a lapdog watching Trump usurp them and damage the economy and our international standing.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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Aemond was named Prince Regent in the aftermath, and seized control of the Iron Throne while Aegon recovered.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Federal customs officials at Washington Dulles Airport seized 139 pounds of Ethiopian khat, a plant chewed for its amphetamine-like effect, that was destined for Sacramento.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Abu Safiya also had his eyeglasses confiscated during his detainment and since been experiencing vision issues, according to Abbas.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
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The prisoners were at one point given life jackets, but they were later confiscated after guards found them being used as pillows, the court document said.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Bald eagle are also known to scavenge for food and carrion, even stealing from other hunting birds mid-flight.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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The show was canceled that year, after Mencia was accused of stealing material from other comedians.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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There is an art to cutting a cantaloupe, which starts long before grabbing the knife and cutting board.—
Alexandra Frost,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Verb
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The cabana frame was lifted by strong winds before crashing into an area occupied by guests near the resort's pool deck.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
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Law enforcement also linked Sanchez-Munoz to a June 11 shooting in which a vehicle occupied by an adult and a child was hit by gunfire in the area of Seventh Street and Metropolitan Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2026
Verb
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McTominay, whose iconic bicycle kick against Denmark was the defining goal of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, threatened multiple times past the 80th minute but couldn’t convert.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
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That has put a focus on Iran’s stockpile of uranium and its program to convert this naturally occurring element into material that can sustain a nuclear reaction — a process called enrichment.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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