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
-
The backstory The Artist opened in 2024 as a takeover of the Gran Hotel Domine, a hotel that was built in 2002 following the museum’s inauguration in 1997.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
-
Like Ernest Hemingway’s description of bankruptcy, Off Campus’s takeover of my phone happened gradually, then all at once.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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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Detecting a seizure The technology proved especially valuable during one of Grayson's emergency room visits.—
Nicky Zizaza,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
The seizure in Australia included two different species, dubia cockroaches and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
7 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
-
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 14 Jun. 2026.
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