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
Those laws sought to alter the reporting structure for the secretary or the directors in violation of Amendment 33 of the Arkansas Constitution, which protects the vested powers of constitutional boards, like the Board of Corrections, from usurpation by the governor, the General Assembly or both.
—
Arkansas Online, 18 May 2026
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
Arkansas Online, 18 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurpation
Noun
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In late March a teen takeover in Hyde Park turned destructive, badly damaging cars.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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Licata began leading the FWISD March 24, when the Texas Education Agency appointed him as superintendent as part of a state takeover of thel district.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Pew says the cost to administer the program is expected to be $500,000, with a one-year appropriation of $1 million to set it up.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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Ars previously wrote about this legislation, which raised some eyebrows, as this is a large appropriation for a relatively straightforward spacecraft.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Both contracts gained more than 7% last week as hopes of a peace deal that would end ship attacks and seizures around the Strait of Hormuz dimmed.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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That transparency became especially important after Gijon experienced seizure symptoms while teaching during her third year in the classroom in 2017.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Elijah Nouvelage / Bloomberg via Getty Images City officials had emphasized that the annexation would not have raised the millage rate for residents or businesses.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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City Manager James Hotopp says the city ultimately decided annexation wasn’t in Weatherford’s best interest.—
Emily Holshouser. Produced with AI assistance,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurpation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurpation. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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