usurpation

[ yoo-ser-pey-shuh n, -zer- ]

/ ˌyu sərˈpeɪ ʃən, -zər- /

an act of usurping; wrongful or illegal encroachment, infringement, or seizure.

illegal seizure and occupation of a throne.

Nearby words

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin ūsūrpātiōn- (stem of ūsūrpātiō), equivalent to ūsūrpāt(us) (past participle of ūsūrpāre to usurp) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsu·sur·pa·tive

[yoo-sur-puh-tiv, ‐zur‐] /yuˈsɜr pə tɪv, ‐ˈzɜr‐/, u·sur·pa·to·ry

[yoo-sur-puh-tawr-ee, ‐tohr-ee, ‐zur‐] /yuˈsɜr pəˌtɔr i, ‐ˌtoʊr i, ‐ˈzɜr‐/, adjective

Russians had no choice but face his final decision; his usurpation of political power is sickly humiliating.
To the Streets!|Anna Nemtsova|September 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
All government action is not a usurpation of individual freedom—it's a matter of striking the right balance.
The GOP's War on Teddy Roosevelt|John Avlon|March 9, 2010|DAILY BEAST
I reflected on the infatuation of my surviving parent, and the usurpation of the detestable Betty, with horror.
Arthur Mervyn|Charles Brockden Brown
But the limit to this usurpation must apparently be set by the crowding out of those individuals in which it is carried too far.
The Whence and the Whither of Man|John Mason Tyler

These will be merely acts of usurpation, and will deserve to be treated as such.
The Federalist Papers|Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
Bonaparte was enraged and stormed against England's usurpation of the lordship of the sea.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
Wight did not lay claim to the position of President of the church, but he resented what he called Brigham Young's usurpation.
The Story of the Mormons|William Alexander Linn

late 14c., from Old French usurpacion, from Latin usurpationem (nominative usurpatio), noun of action from usurpare (see usurp).