as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
the unexpected usurpation of power by the government resulted in the townspeople revolting
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Recent Examples of usurpation
This is an ancient practice that continues into the Middle Ages called usurpation.
—
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
The Court’s usurpation runs deeper than the invalidation of statutes with a liberal cast, though there has been plenty of that.
—Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
As Isaac told it, his kingdom’s history is rife with treachery, usurpation, and murder.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
The Court’s usurpation runs deeper than the invalidation of statutes with a liberal cast, though there has been plenty of that.
—Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
As Isaac told it, his kingdom’s history is rife with treachery, usurpation, and murder.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurpation
Noun
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Many have seen the videos of Detroit's teen takeovers, but a local organization is looking to channel that energy into something positive for the youth.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Last week, a mass of teens participating in a takeover on Tybee Island, Georgia, was interrupted in panic after police say gunfire broke out along the pier.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lawmakers opted to advance the policy bill and the appropriations bill that allocates the $5 million in existing funding from other accounts to the governor’s desk, acknowledging that school districts have an obligation to educate all students.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Apr. 2026
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Within a day in February, for example, the Legislature passed out a $90 million appropriation to counter the federal government’s block on Medicaid dollars going to Planned Parenthood clinics.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Administration officials have credited Section 702 with helping to rescue American hostages overseas, enabling the seizure of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China and even preventing a terrorist attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Austria.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
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That year, Ukraine elected a Western-leaning government, preceding Russia’s seizure of the Crimean Peninsula and arming of insurgent groups to occupy parts of the industrialised east of the country.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Expansive subdivision plans and an annexation for a wastewater infrastructure project are moving forward after garnering votes of approval at Crown Point’s April city council meeting.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
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The plaintiffs also said that the address the city provided for the annexation is part of a parcel that the city already owned.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurpation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurpation. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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