usurps

verb

present tense third-person singular of usurp
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

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 usurps California courts have repeatedly refused to rewrite unconstitutional tax statutes on the grounds that this usurps the role of the Legislature or, in the case of an initiative, the people. — Jared Walczak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurps
  1. seizes
  2. confiscates
  3. grabs
  4. steals
  5. occupies
  6. preempts
  7. appropriates
Verb
  • Wilson, meanwhile, seizes on the opening to play teacher’s pet.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Obreht is a writer who doesn’t rush into easy patterns of storytelling but seizes control from the jump.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of seizes
Verb
  • Unlike most other states, California has its own inspection-and-approval system for fireworks, and confiscates those failing standards.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of confiscates
Verb
  • Ryan opens it, grabs a Diet Coke and asks one of his assistants to summon a cup of ice.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Paramount grabs a distribution fee and recovers its marketing and P&A costs from ticket sales before sharing the remaining profits with Miramax.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of grabs
Verb
  • The gang steals sacred objects, but their movements around them can resemble ceremony not desecration.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Absolom steals the screen in Jordan Firstman’s feature directorial debut Club Kid, playing the surprise son, Arlo, to Firstman’s NYC club event and bacchanalian protag.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of steals
Verb
  • For a touch of true elegance, book the Heritage Long Suite, which occupies the former postmaster’s office and is decked out with rich crown molding, marble fireplaces, and his original writing desk from the 19th century.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The hotel occupies floors 30 through 36 of the Kioi Tower, with the lobby perched at the top.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of occupies
Verb
  • Two federal courts of appeals have now issued conflicting decisions on whether federal law preempts states from enforcing their sports betting laws against Kalshi and other prediction-market operators.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • No federal statute currently preempts state disclosure requirements, and firms advising advertisers have generally recommended continued compliance with state law while the question is litigated.
    — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of preempts
Verb
  • Tiki bars aren’t without criticism, having occasionally been attacked as escapist fantasy that appropriates Hawaiian or Polynesian iconography.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Summary The Caribbean is increasingly a global wellness hub, though Western influence often appropriates Afro-Indigenous practices.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of appropriates

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usurps
utensil
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Cite this Entry

“Usurps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurps. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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