as in seizing
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
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Recent Examples of usurping
One of the things that's gone really wrong in America is this gas station/convenience store/fast food restaurant that is usurping small town America.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
By January 2025, Szczesny had become manager Hansi Flick’s No 1 choice in goal, putting together a string of solid performances and usurping Inaki Pena in the role.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
This would seem to challenge the notion that AI usurping human skills will democratize them—for instance, by broadening who is able to contribute meaningfully to math’s advancement.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026
Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.
—Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The War of the Two Caesars also serves as a nice mirror for everything going down with the Brotherhood, Elder Cleric Quintus still hellbent on usurping the Commonwealth despite the arrival of Kumail Nanjiani’s Paladin Xander Harkness, an emissary from that neck of the woods.
—Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Over time, her biological daughters would number in the thousands, usurping the colony until none of the original species remained.
—CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
Vought has exerted extraordinary control over government spending this year, usurping congressional decisions on how the nation's money is used.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
By January 2025, Szczesny had become manager Hansi Flick’s No 1 choice in goal, putting together a string of solid performances and usurping Inaki Pena in the role.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
This would seem to challenge the notion that AI usurping human skills will democratize them—for instance, by broadening who is able to contribute meaningfully to math’s advancement.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026
Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.
—Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The War of the Two Caesars also serves as a nice mirror for everything going down with the Brotherhood, Elder Cleric Quintus still hellbent on usurping the Commonwealth despite the arrival of Kumail Nanjiani’s Paladin Xander Harkness, an emissary from that neck of the woods.
—Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Over time, her biological daughters would number in the thousands, usurping the colony until none of the original species remained.
—CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
Vought has exerted extraordinary control over government spending this year, usurping congressional decisions on how the nation's money is used.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurping
Verb
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Riverside County sheriff and GOP governor candidate draws heat for seizing 650,000 ballots from last November’s election, claiming possible fraud with little evidence.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Much speculation has been focused on US forces potentially seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While Tehran is being bombarded, the regime’s security forces have been stationed at checkpoints across the city, searching civilians and confiscating their phones.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
At the same time, CBP reported a surge in drug seizures after agents confiscating more than 79,000 pounds of narcotics nationwide last month, the highest monthly total since October 2021.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kaufman-Renn hit his first seven shots — going 6-for-6 and grabbing five rebounds in the first half — on the way to 20 points.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Agents targeted grocery stores, churches, and construction sites, smashing car windows and pulling people from vehicles or grabbing them at a hardware store parking lot.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But taking control of the strait militarily requires massive costs and risks, including a strategic invasion that comes short of occupying the country.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
If your fantasy roster is light on steals, David Hamilton has made a pair of early starts for the Brewers, occupying the strong side of a third base platoon.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Around this time Denise and Aaron filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Vallejo claiming defamation and emotional distress.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Benefits can begin as early as age 62, but claiming early typically means accepting a smaller monthly payment.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These reactions are responsible for converting hydrogen into electricity.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
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George was cheered throughout the night, especially after converting on three consecutive possessions early in the fourth quarter.—
Aaron Bracy,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurping. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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