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
But the Blue Devils have been usurped by Long Island, as the Sharks have raced out to a 10-1 start in the league.
—
Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
New deals this season will boost already booming commercial income, not least a kit manufacturing agreement with Adidas that is expected to usurp the money brought in from the previous Nike deal.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.
—Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Whatever preference the players have not to grow the schedule is usurped by their priority to grow their wallet.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
New deals this season will boost already booming commercial income, not least a kit manufacturing agreement with Adidas that is expected to usurp the money brought in from the previous Nike deal.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.
—Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Whatever preference the players have not to grow the schedule is usurped by their priority to grow their wallet.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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In San Mateo County, 20 victims were recovered; in Contra Costa County, 17; and in Santa Clara County, seven victims were recovered, two traffickers arrested, and a firearm seized, according to authorities.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Against the odds, Ukraine managed to repel the initial Russian attack on Kyiv and, within a few months, took back large swaths of land originally seized by Moscow.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Contrary to what many people believe, these items aren't actually confiscated.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
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The monitors also tried to confiscate four power banks and chargers.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With a 125-122 lead and the ball in the closing seconds, James threw a dangerous cross-court pass intended for Doncic that Nicolas Batum stole.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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The action comes as a trial is approaching in a federal corruption case in which several former union executives — among them ousted International President Newton Jones — are charged with allegedly scheming to steal $20 million in union funds.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Friday night, Harry and Meghan grabbed dinner at Funke in Beverly Hills, where Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday last August.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
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Man, like when your hair starts grabbing at your collar.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One of China’s most influential cultural figures, Wang is not simply a celebrity endorsement but occupies a rare position at the intersection of youth identity, entertainment, and fashion authority.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
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They're arranged in haphazard rows, with Andrew Jackson occupying a prime front spot simply because the owner likes his hair.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Researchers aim to convert laboratory results into practical design rules for manufacturers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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Soon another death at Lake Norman hospital Less than a month after Savage died, Heider operated on Lynnette York of Charlotte, to convert a gastric sleeve to a full bypass.—
Amber Gaudet
Updated February 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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