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
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
Some of those who attempt to seize or usurp power unconstitutionally are killed during their takeover bid, particularly when security forces loyal to the incumbent leader foil the attack.
—Joe Wright, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
Team Cherry The Pale King usurped the ruling deity, the Radiance, a god of light who shines in contrast to the Abyss, a primordial force of darkness that is represented by Void.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Mamoru Hosoda’s anime riff on Hamlet gives us a princess of Denmark hell-bent on killing the uncle who usurped the crown from her beloved dad.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
Some of those who attempt to seize or usurp power unconstitutionally are killed during their takeover bid, particularly when security forces loyal to the incumbent leader foil the attack.
—Joe Wright, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
Team Cherry The Pale King usurped the ruling deity, the Radiance, a god of light who shines in contrast to the Abyss, a primordial force of darkness that is represented by Void.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Mamoru Hosoda’s anime riff on Hamlet gives us a princess of Denmark hell-bent on killing the uncle who usurped the crown from her beloved dad.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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According to Rolling Stone, Watkins was first arrested in September 2012 after police officers seized a large number of mobile phones and storage devices after conducting a drug search warrant at his home in Pontypridd, a town in Wales.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Polymarket for its part has drawn in younger users with a better platform and by seizing upon the pandemic-era gambling trend especially prevalent in Gen Z men—not to mention with a little help from a newly friendly regulatory environment.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Retailers who break the order could face a $500 fine per day if the products are still offered for sale, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture will have the authority to confiscate any of the products.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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In his work recovering brands that hold emotional and nostalgic value for Cubans — many of which were created by businesses confiscated by the Cuban regime after 1959 — Haber has just launched Guayabita del Pinar in Miami.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Baltasar Rodriguez had stolen the ball from an Atlanta defender and crossed the ball to Messi.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
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Look no further than Saturday’s Game 5, when both the Cubs and Brewers used an opener followed by a bulk reliever, and rookie Misiorowski stole the show with four strong innings to help the Brewers advance.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In grabbing McNeeley in the same class as Knueppel, Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte wanted to infuse its roster with youthful players boasting an old school mentality.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
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If her vibe is all about being cute yet comfy, grab the matching shorts for extra brownie points.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Glamour,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plan also states that Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza, something which has been speculated amid Israel’s offensive within the territory.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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Birch said the Tech Park, which now fills three buildings in the 400 block of Main Street, picked up another tenant in the past couple of weeks and the park is about 70% occupied.—
Sydney Sasser,
Arkansas Online,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His meteoric rise captures how Silicon Valley converts zeitgeist into capital—and how that, in turn, can be parlayed into influence.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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Adenstar was involved in the building work to convert Withdean Stadium — then an athletics track — into a stadium temporarily fit for fourth-tier football as the club aimed to return to Brighton.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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