as in to seize
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 usurp
Hegseth and Feinberg, Phelan said, had imposed rigid control over submarine and shipbuilding decisions, effectively usurping the Navy’s authority, these people said.
—
Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 2 May 2026
And so this is part of a longstanding trend of Congress kind of allowing the White House to usurp their authority.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 May 2026
This would reset the balance between the executive and legislative branches, demanding the House and Senate not cede excessive authority to unelected bureaucrats who are only too happy to usurp legislative powers.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Rookie catcher Daniel Susac isn’t going to usurp Bailey, a two-time Gold Glover, after a couple of good starts, but Susac could very well see more time against lefties.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 2 May 2026
And so this is part of a longstanding trend of Congress kind of allowing the White House to usurp their authority.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 May 2026
This would reset the balance between the executive and legislative branches, demanding the House and Senate not cede excessive authority to unelected bureaucrats who are only too happy to usurp legislative powers.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Rookie catcher Daniel Susac isn’t going to usurp Bailey, a two-time Gold Glover, after a couple of good starts, but Susac could very well see more time against lefties.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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In April, Ukraine actually took back more land than Russia seized for the first time since 2024.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Metcalf's father has condemned those who have seized on the race of the teenagers after the killing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The Supreme Court released an 8-1 ruling allowing a lawsuit over property confiscated by the Cuban government to move forward.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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From the moment Lawrence had the first edition privately printed in Italy, American and British authorities confiscated copies that had been smuggled across their borders and secretly read the novel for pleasure.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Sukhmati described how her comrades would raid police stations to steal weapons.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Tovar also stole home in the fourth inning.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Verb
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There’s plenty to see and do on this one street—stop by Colonial Park Cemetery, established in 1750; the Juliet Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, honoring the founder of the Girl Scouts; then grab a bite at Marbled & Fin, where luxe appetizers and aged steaks reign supreme.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
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After Corbin made his introduction to the Islanders as a whole back at the fire pit, Melanie was the first to grab him for a chat.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
Verb
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About Acqualina Resort Conveniently located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Acqualina Resort occupies 5 oceanfront acres in Sunny Isles, a town known for its wide sandy beaches, luxury shopping, and international atmosphere.—
Katie Riley,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
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Many lead institutions that are more than a century old yet are the first women ever to occupy the top role.—
Sam Birchall,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Verb
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In a July 2015 memorandum, the county suggested purchasing a lot near the Bethel House to be converted into a parking lot, then give it to the Bethel House upon completion.—
Delia Rose Sauer,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
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In early January, Chan and five other quantum chemists based out of the California Institute of Technology reached a key milestone in understanding the enzyme nitrogenase, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and makes life on our planet possible.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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