usurped

[yoo-surpt, -zurpt]

adjective

1. seized by force or without legal right.

   When Edward IV deposed Henry VI, some saw it as a providential restoration of the usurped throne to the lawful heirs of Richard II.

2. deprived of something forcibly or without legal right.

   The peasants and other members of the usurped communities have been forced to work as peons in the land that previously belonged to them.

3. used or employed without authority or right; used wrongfully.

   Exploitation of usurped or counterfeited web content is punishable by criminal law.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of usurp.

Other Word Forms

• unusurped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of usurped¹

usurp ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Political cartooning is a dying art, usurped by illustrations that trade intelligent ribbing for low-brow button pushing — or, equally as startling, memes that require minimal effort to make.

From Salon

Newsom’s restraint ended when Trump usurped the governor’s authority over the weekend by deploying the California National Guard to the streets of Los Angeles to quell protests against immigration raids.

From Los Angeles Times

While leading tennis pros still command huge attention, there is a perception that golfers have been usurped by female footballers and basketball luminaries such as the Indiana guard Caitlin Clark.

From BBC

With the decline of unions and so many other forms of civic life, media organizations have filled the void and have even usurped some of the traditional duties political parties once played….

From Salon

Wilson added that she isn’t intimidated by the “pathetic man-child” and the massive amount of power he’s usurped both as the world’s richest man and a close advisor to Trump.

From Salon

Related Words

• annex 
• preempt 
• supplant 
• wrest