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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
-
None of the bills signed Tuesday involved teen takeover events.—
Jim Turner,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
The cowgirl character teams with old friend Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) to battle a tech takeover of their home from an antagonistic frog tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Immigration advocates warn that regular appropriations bills often include provisions that would require DHS to report to Congress or the public on spending, program updates and demographics of those detained.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 June 2026
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In a departure from the normal appropriations process, Republicans opted to fund the bulk of DHS with help from Democrats, while moving forward with funding for the department's immigration enforcement agencies on their own.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Under current law, 65% of money from fireworks fines and seizures must go to the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Fireworks Enforcement and Disposal Fund.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
Owen – an honors student and a volunteer at the local police department who had recently started working at a senior living community and who loved to draw, sing, dance, act and design fashion – died of a seizure.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
In his second term, Cleveland supported the gold standard, prevented the annexation of Hawaii, and authorized the use of Federal troops to end the Pullman Strike.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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The City Council resolved in February to limit future Foothills annexation.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurpation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurpation. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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