as in seizes
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of usurps
After witnessing Sinner miss 16 break points against the same opponent on Friday, Alcaraz would have been forgiven for worrying that something similar might happen to him — especially against arguably tennis’s greatest escape artist, at least until the Spaniard usurps him.
—
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Jokic usurps Nurkic Jusuf Nurkic became Jokic’s first backup center in unceremonious fashion, getting benched by Michael Malone 25 games into his third season.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Jokic usurps Nurkic Jusuf Nurkic became Jokic’s first backup center in unceremonious fashion, getting benched by Michael Malone 25 games into his third season.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurps
Verb
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Unfortunately, though, she’s still possessed by the spirit of Mary Shelley, whose voice seizes her body with tiresome frequency.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) seizes an opportunity to regain her position.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The children designated as Palestinians, meanwhile, have their drawings torn up and are relegated to small corners of the classroom while the teacher confiscates their candy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Nov. 2025
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Milwaukee Marshall High School confiscates a student’s phone until the end of the day for a first offense, requires a parent pickup after a second offense and issues an automatic suspension for repeat violations.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the kitchen, Wells grabs a round of dough resting in semolina flour.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Inspired, Larry grabs a random woman and kisses her on the mouth.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Drafted by Miami with the fifth overall pick in 2003, Wade is the Heat’s all-time leader in categories like points, games played, minutes played, assists and steals and is considered one of the top shooting guards in NBA history.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, the team is sent to steal it back on what would be for anyone else a suicide mission.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The property occupies a lot of 5,885 square feet.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Seven decades later, as military action once again engulfs Iran, a different president occupies the Oval Office—but the same obsession hangs in the air.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The court will specifically examine whether the federal Clean Air Act preempts state-law nuisance claims seeking damages from oil and gas companies.—
Taylor Millard,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
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Witt also added that the Legislature often preempts city regulations.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The state appropriates within its budget to ensure bond holders know the state has the money, but the state hasn’t had to use that money because the admissions tax and tax district have funded the bond, Huston said.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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The lawsuit argues the freeze violated federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional limits on executive power and how Congress appropriates funds.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurps. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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