had been usurping

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of usurp.
  usurp

  verb (used with object)

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

Related Words

• annex
• preempt
• supplant
• wrest