as in seized
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the mayor usurped the school board's authority when he fired the principal
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of usurped
Resentment soon starts needling away at them as Theo goes over budget and Ivy feels her role as a mother has been usurped — the kids are now too health-conscious even to touch her desserts.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Just as cable was usurped by fibre.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
However, Matheus Nunes had usurped him at right-back towards the end of the season and he was left out of the FA Cup final squad.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The fact that Colby usurped fourth-year pro Nick Zakelj was a bit surprising.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
The court of public opinion usurped the courts of law.
—Lynn Zovighian, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Just as cable was usurped by fibre.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
However, Matheus Nunes had usurped him at right-back towards the end of the season and he was left out of the FA Cup final squad.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The fact that Colby usurped fourth-year pro Nick Zakelj was a bit surprising.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
The court of public opinion usurped the courts of law.
—Lynn Zovighian, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurped
Verb
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In addition, several firearms and drugs were seized from other residences, according to police.—
Jack Moore,
ABC News,
6 Sep. 2025
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Local, national and global media outlets this week seized on the opportunity to report Zuckerberg's lawsuit against Meta.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Houston Astros center fielder Taylor Trammell had his bat confiscated in the ninth inning of the team’s 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday at Daikin Park.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, 12-inch centipedes were also confiscated and the green mamba, which had been sick, died after the raid.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Twenty-four hours later, Ohtani entered the visiting clubhouse in Baltimore and grabbed his glove.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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During the argument, Martin grabbed a hammer from Lawson that Lawson had been using to repair a patio door and raised it above his head in a striking motion, Lawson said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The writers’ allegations echoed dozens of other lawsuits brought by authors, news outlets, visual artists and others who say that tech companies stole their work to use in AI training.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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In December of that year, court records show that Bramble stole a City of Norwood Public Works pickup, fled from officers from at least two agencies and then tried to run away with a knife in his hand.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Inevitably, different players have different routines, different responsibilities, different ways of keeping themselves occupied.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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His teammates marvel at it, their explanation for how a soon-to-be 36-year-old is still playing a game occupied primarily by athletes in their early 20s.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Smokey Bones locations bringing in less money will be converted into other brands the company owns, such as Twin Peaks lodges or sports bars, Boerema said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Initially powered by a water counterbalance system, it was soon converted to steam in 1886 and later electrified by 1915.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In explaining the oversight for such a highly visual social media app, Meta claimed limited resources and higher priorities.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Both claimed there were no imminent crime issues in the city.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The legislature appropriated $147 million this past session to protect current families using the vouchers.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
4 Sep. 2025
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One user appropriated the monologue as an origin story for Fozzie Bear.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Usurped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurped. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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