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.

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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

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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

Instead he adopts St. Augustine’s anthropology and depicts the new seekers of the City of Man usurping the old believers in the City of God.

From The Wall Street Journal

Once Will joins the team, a “never meet your heroes” lesson ensues, since Jett feels like he’s usurping her position.

From Los Angeles Times

The pre-Virgilian sources suggest that Dido’s brother, Pygmalion, killed her husband and usurped the throne.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, they still ended the 2023-24 season as champions, usurping Manchester City on goal difference on the final day.

From BBC

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

From Barron's

Related Words

• annex
• preempt
• supplant
• wrest