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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurps
Verb
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Suddenly, the Thursday Murder Club seizes an opportunity and leaps from the cold case realm into a very hot murder investigation.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025 -
During a physical confrontation, Matheo forces Saskia to retreat, and Sylvie seizes the opportunity to grab Saskia’s gun.—
Time,
Time,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But the feeling when a film grabs hold remains the same—by a story, a character, a voice—that, never goes out of season.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
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The lilting Calle Malaga, Morocco’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar, is a joy largely because of its veteran star who envelops the screen and grabs a role of a career.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Taylor Kitsch is fantastic, but Tom Hopper steals the show.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Still, as Huntrix finally steals the show, the movie shows the singers and the audience as equals.—
Yvonne Kim,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Where to stay Renovated in 2021, the Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou occupies the 20th–38th floors of a tower only steps from the Pearl River.—
Mae Hamilton,
AFAR Media,
9 Sep. 2025
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McCormick occupies District 1, which is fully within Johnson's 4th Congressional District.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Story editing is a form of self-talk that preempts your under-estimator from seizing control with its bludgeoning feedback.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Under state law, the legislature currently preempts all authority of a home rule charter or city government to regulate firearms and ammunition.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Braisted explained that the school district answers to the state, which appropriates most federal funding for MNPS.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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These words have different meanings in the context of AAVE, some say, and using them in a way that appropriates or stereotypes certain people groups strips away the importance of the original definitions.—
Mia Thurow,
jsonline.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Usurps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurps. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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