usurp

[ yoo-surp, -zurp ]

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.

verb (used without object)

1. to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.

usurp

/ juːˈzɜːp /

verb

1. to seize, take over, or appropriate (land, a throne, etc) without authority

Derived Forms

• uˈsurper, noun
• uˈsurpative, adjective
• ˌusurˈpation, noun

Other Words From

• u·surp·er noun
• u·surp·ing·ly adverb
• non·u·surp·ing adjective
• non·u·surp·ing·ly adverb
• self-u·surp verb (used without object)
• un·u·surp·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of usurp¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of usurp¹

C14: from Old French usurper, from Latin ūsūrpāre to take into use, probably from ūsus use + rapere to seize

Example Sentences

Howard has usurped the 2017-18 Missouri Tigers as the worst team by percentage of previous-season wins to land a five-star recruit.

From FiveThirtyEight

There’s no shortage of stories of brands losing control on Amazon, from counterfeit sellers usurping their sales, to Amazon launching competing products of its own.

From Digiday

Others, such as streaming usurping linear TV’s position among audiences and advertisers, may not become apparent for at least another year.

From Digiday

Instagram may have the upper hand at the moment as the more established platform, but as the platform establishing a more direct way for creators to make money, TikTok has an opportunity to usurp Instagram’s position.

From Digiday

Less than a month later, Brett Mastrangelo attempted to usurp McConaughy’s record but had to call it quits two days in because of a leg injury.

From FiveThirtyEight

The Constitutional Court is “absolutely part of the old guard trying to usurp power,” he tells The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

From The Daily Beast

Makes you wonder why conservatives care so much who sits on the Supreme Court—since they seem determined to usurp its job.

From The Daily Beast

“It would be very difficult for her to come out and usurp power at this point,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Ignorance would take the place of learning, and slavery would usurp the domain of liberty.

From Project Gutenberg

Man will no longer try to usurp the place of God, and persecute his fellow mortal on religious grounds.

From Project Gutenberg

"I am going to usurp your assumed right to start this little private conversation, Akar Hekalu," he told him.

From Project Gutenberg

These events, although in themselves important and interesting, would usurp a disproportionate place in this history.

From Project Gutenberg

The architect employed in this famous structure, fell upon the following contrivance to usurp the whole glory to himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annex
• preempt
• supplant
• wrest