Synonyms

usurp

American

[yoo-surp, -zurp] / yuˈsɜrp, -ˈzɜrp /

verb (used with object)

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

The pretender tried to usurp the throne.
to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully.

The magazine usurped copyrighted material.

verb (used without object)

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

usurp British

/ juːˈzɜːp /

verb

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.

Kingsbury, the Olympic champion from Pyeongchang 2018, produced a storming run to usurp the high-flying Horishima and take top spot with just Cooper to go.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

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

“Indeed. And now they’ve turned against him by threatening to usurp his dynasty. He’ll fight—you can count on it.”

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

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