usurpation

[ yoo-ser-pey-shuhn, -zer- ]

noun

1. an act of usurping; wrongful or illegal encroachment, infringement, or seizure.
2. illegal seizure and occupation of a throne.

Other Words From

• u·sur·pa·tive [yoo-, sur, -p, uh, -tiv, ‑-, zur, ‑], u·sur·pa·to·ry [yoo-, sur, -p, uh, -tawr-ee, ‑-tohr-ee, ‑-, zur, ‑], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of usurpation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ūsūrpātiōn-, stem of ūsūrpātiō “a seizing for use,” equivalent to ūsūrpāt(us) “seized for use” (past participle of ūsūrpāre; usurp ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Wallace interrupted Katzenbach and read a long statement, refusing to “willingly submit to the illegal usurpation of power by the federal government.”

From Time

Russians had no choice but face his final decision; his usurpation of political power is sickly humiliating.

From The Daily Beast

All government action is not a usurpation of individual freedom—it's a matter of striking the right balance.

From The Daily Beast

Indignation nerved her spirit as she reflected upon the usurpation thus ostentatiously displayed.

From Project Gutenberg

But she was quick to discriminate between usurpation, and legal authority.

From Project Gutenberg

But no one has yet seen fit to bring such an action; and the reason is that there has been no usurpation of executive authority.

From Project Gutenberg

But during those times of military usurpation, these passions were the same.

From Project Gutenberg

Rather than submit to the usurpation of the Guises, they preferred to fall with arms in their hands.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annexation
• confiscation