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Synonyms

usurp

American  
[yoo-surp, -zurp] / yuˈsɜrp, -ˈzɜrp /

verb (used with object)

  1. to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right.

    The pretender tried to usurp the throne.

  2. to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully.

    The magazine usurped copyrighted material.

verb (used without object)

  1. to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.

usurp British  
/ juːˈzɜːp /

verb

  1. to seize, take over, or appropriate (land, a throne, etc) without authority

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonusurping adjective
  • nonusurpingly adverb
  • self-usurp verb (used without object)
  • unusurping adjective
  • usurpation noun
  • usurpative adjective
  • usurper noun
  • usurpingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of usurp

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin ūsūrpāre “to take possession through use,” equivalent to ūsū (ablative of ūsus “act of using, employment” ( use ) + -rp-, reduced form of -rip-, combining form of rapere “to seize” + -āre infinitive ending

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tuesday's latest reverse meant Celtic missed the chance to usurp Hearts at the top of the table.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

He drags Arthur into a war against Lancelot that fatally weakens the kingdom and allows Mordred to usurp the throne.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

This appears to be a fraud attempt to usurp your authority as CEO.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

Defending champion Littler, who will usurp Luke Humphries at the top of the rankings if he reaches the final in Wolverhampton, averaged 105.18 in a 16-12 victory.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2025

Now, a god cannot usurp another god’s symbol of power directly—that is forbidden by the most ancient of divine laws.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.