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
Tata Sons followed this with an equally detailed press release accusing Mistry of running the business badly and even trying to usurp control of operating companies.
—
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
As Craigslist, Google, and Facebook usurped most of what newspapers counted on for ad revenue, my beloved industry cratered in all but the urban power centers.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
In the battle to usurp the Conservative Party, Robinson is eclipsed by the growing strength of Reform UK, a political party led by Nigel Farage.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
The news comes as the Cybertruck was recently usurped from its position as America's best-selling electric pickup truck in the first quarter of 2025.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
As Craigslist, Google, and Facebook usurped most of what newspapers counted on for ad revenue, my beloved industry cratered in all but the urban power centers.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
In the battle to usurp the Conservative Party, Robinson is eclipsed by the growing strength of Reform UK, a political party led by Nigel Farage.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
The news comes as the Cybertruck was recently usurped from its position as America's best-selling electric pickup truck in the first quarter of 2025.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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What’s more, after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Czechs who had their property seized by the state were allowed to reclaim much of it through a restitution system – but not ethnic Germans who lost it under the post-war Benes decrees.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
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As my daughter’s face paled, and a man in a clown mask stalked the aisles, panic seized my limbs.—
Christa Carmen,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The property of citizens has been confiscated, there are floggings, and attacks.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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The city also can seize and confiscate any e-bike operated in violation of the ordinance’s provisions.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Helm topples trees, uproots crops, overturns feed stacks, steals loose blankets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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French officials and the Louvre Museum have come under international fire in the days and weeks after the heist for security insufficiencies that allowed thieves to steal priceless artifacts in broad daylight.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The woman’s mother then reportedly grabbed Crouch to keep him away from her daughter, causing Crouch to allegedly begin attacking the victim, the affidavit said.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Again, hopefully, Foxx was able to relax a little, grab some rays and just breathe.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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African American and English Studies scholar Kameelah Martin points out that these beliefs were reinforced at the turn of the 20th century, when the United States occupied Haiti (1915-1934).—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
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And so, the species that occupy the various environmental niches will likewise have to oscillate.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Honeywell notes that this two-stage approach helps solve long-standing challenges of converting biocrudes into fuels with performance characteristics comparable to conventional fossil fuels.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Oct. 2025
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The 12-acre property has already been converted into an eco-friendly compound with nine self-sufficient apartments plus a primary residence.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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