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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of usurp
The process being proposed in House Bill 5089 usurps two levels of local control, Keller school board Vice President John Birt told lawmakers: School boards and county commissioners.
—
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2025
Wing-backs James McClean and Ryan Barnett were first choice for much of the campaign before January arrival Ryan Longman eventually usurped Barnett down the right flank.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 2025
After years of gradually usurping many forms of legacy media, podcasts are set to get their flowers on one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 May 2025
David Caruso infamously quit NYPD Blue after the first season to pursue movie stardom that never came; that show did fine without him, in part because replacement Jimmy Smits was so good, but mainly because Caruso had by that point already been usurped in fans’ hearts by co-star Dennis Franz.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2025
Wing-backs James McClean and Ryan Barnett were first choice for much of the campaign before January arrival Ryan Longman eventually usurped Barnett down the right flank.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 2025
After years of gradually usurping many forms of legacy media, podcasts are set to get their flowers on one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 May 2025
David Caruso infamously quit NYPD Blue after the first season to pursue movie stardom that never came; that show did fine without him, in part because replacement Jimmy Smits was so good, but mainly because Caruso had by that point already been usurped in fans’ hearts by co-star Dennis Franz.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
-
But is Simone now the villain – or simply someone with a tough upbringing who seized an opportunity to secure her future?—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Israel imposed a blockade on all supplies entering Gaza in March, saying Hamas was seizing supplies meant for civilians - a charge the group denies.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Our families could be dishonored in public, our personal memories confiscated for storage inside the Criminal Archives.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
13 May 2025
-
But white farmers are being brutally killed, and their land is being confiscated in South Africa.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Trailing in the second inning, Alexis Ramirez reached base on a hit up the middle, then stole second.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2025
-
The ‘Turkey Brothers’ steal the encore with a boisterous jam As fans begged for an encore to an empty stage, an unlikely guest took center stage.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.—
Jalyn Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2025
-
The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
The Industrialist Facing the Barclays Center, The Industrialist occupies a four-story warehouse reimagined as an artist's sanctuary.—
Malik Peay,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
-
One notable holdover from the prior films is providing a thread of lesbian desire, though Megan’s unrequited pining for Lori occupies a more marginal place in the narrative this time around.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Scheffler has now successfully converted his first three 54-hole leads or co-leads in majors, something done only nine other times in the modern era.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
Apple and Google have also made efforts to remove AI services that convert clothed images into manipulated nude ones from their app stores and search results.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share