usurp
Americanverb (used with object)
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to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right.
The pretender tried to usurp the throne.
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to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully.
The magazine usurped copyrighted material.
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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usurpativeadjective
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nonusurpinglyadverb
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nonusurpingadjective
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usurpinglyadverb
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usurpernoun
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unusurpingadjective
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self-usurpverb (used without object)
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usurpationnoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has usurpedperfect 3rd person singular
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have usurpedperfect
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are usurpingprogressive
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have been usurpingperfect progressive
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has been usurpingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am usurpingprogressive 1st person singular
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usurpssingular 3rd person
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is usurpingprogressive 3rd person singular
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usurpingparticiple
Past
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had usurpedperfect
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were usurpingprogressive plural
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had been usurpingperfect progressive
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was usurpingprogressive singular
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usurpedparticiple
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usurpedsimple
Future
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” ( see use) + -rp-, reduced form of -rip-, combining form of rapere “to seize” + -āre infinitive ending
Explanation
If you take over your neighbor's backyard and claim his in-ground swimming pool as your own, you might seize control of, or usurp his yard, but he'll probably call the cops on you. Leaders who usurp power don't ask for permission to take control of their country. They seize power, often with the help of a large army of followers. A usurper doesn't have to be human. A brand-new radio station can usurp the most popular station in town by playing a better mix of music.
Vocabulary lists containing usurp
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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.
But I was just trying to find a way for Jonesy and Cookie to play — we weren’t thinking about trying to usurp Johnny or anything like that.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
The parties initially weren’t divided over Korea, and Truman didn’t usurp the legislative branch’s power to authorize war.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
Nancy suffered a fifth defeat in seven games since taking charge of the Scottish champions as Celtic missed the chance to usurp Hearts at the top of the table.
From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025
He drags Arthur into a war against Lancelot that fatally weakens the kingdom and allows Mordred to usurp the throne.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025
“Which gives the Erudite and the Allegiant a common goal: to usurp Evelyn.”
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
