Thesaurus results for USURPS

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

Verb

Better, Cretton seizes small moments to put his stamp on this installment.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Rhaenyra, queen of the Blacks, seizes the Iron Throne in King’s Landing with the support of Alicent, who has simply had enough of her unstable and terrible sons.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 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

Schmitt, 27, was in the midst of a career year, having already reached career highs in homers (21), RBIs (55) and steals (nine).

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Though when Pierce Brosnan took up the role in the 1999 remake, Crown steals Monet’s San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk (1908–12) from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, though that painting actually belongs to the National Museum Cardiff in Wales.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

The primary suite occupies its own wing with a fireplace, French doors opening to a private patio, and a bathroom with an oval soaking tub set in front of a picture window.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 31 July 2026
The 59-year-old zoo, which occupies 133 acres in the northeast corner of Griffith Park, has also struggled to maintain its national accreditation, with federal regulators finding peeling paint and rust in some exhibits.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of occupies

Verb

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
The court held that federal pesticide law preempts a state failure-to-warn claim when the Environmental Protection Agency has not required a cancer warning on the product label.

— Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026

Definition of preempts

Verb

By contrast, Congress appropriates much of the public-private institution’s funding and exercises oversight over the institution, which is governed by a board of regents.

— Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
The bill appropriates $495 million for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

— Carrie Brandon Elliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Definition of appropriates

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usurping

usurps

utensil

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“Usurps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurps. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of usurps

verb

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