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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From Paramount’s perspective, there is no serious antitrust argument against the takeover.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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Some of the 17 people charged in a chaotic street takeover in Randolph, Massachusetts last year are due in Quincy District Court Wednesday.—
Penny Kmitt,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Its next stop will be the lower chamber’s appropriations committee.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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But Congress, not the White House, ultimately sets NASA’s funding levels through the appropriations process.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The seizure followed a weekend of mixed signals on the status of the strait and mutual accusations of violating the fragile ceasefire set to expire Wednesday.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
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Oil prices are higher this morning as traders fear the seizure could re-escalate tensions in the Middle East, putting downward pressure on stock futures.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The city manager and other officials are named in an April 6 lawsuit seeking to reverse the annexation.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
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The Oswego Village Board authorized an annexation agreement with the developer, MK Builders and Construction LLC, in May of 2025.—
Linda Girardi,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurpation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurpation. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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