usurpation
Americannoun
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an act of usurping; wrongful or illegal encroachment, infringement, or seizure.
-
illegal seizure and occupation of a throne.
Other Word Forms
- usurpative adjective
- usurpatory adjective
Etymology
Origin of usurpation
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ūsūrpātiōn-, stem of ūsūrpātiō “a seizing for use,” equivalent to ūsūrpāt(us) “seized for use” (past participle of ūsūrpāre; usurp ) + -iō -ion
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.
Domestically, opposition politicians chanted the traditional laments about executive usurpation and congressional war powers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026
Opposition candidate González fled to Spain on Saturday after being accused of "serious crimes" including the "usurpation" of public duties, document falsification, instigation of disobedience and system sabotage.
From BBC • Sep. 12, 2024
“This case centers on Mr. Woodward’s systematic usurpation, manipulation and exploitation of audio of President Trump gathered in connection with a series of interviews conducted by Mr. Woodward,” the lawsuit states.
From Washington Times • Jan. 30, 2023
Musk has expressed concern about Artificial Intelligence systems overtaking humans; in terms of intelligence, decision-making, and ultimately usurpation of political and economic power.
From Salon • Jun. 30, 2020
The sanction of the Pope was obtained for the act because Pepin thought that his course would thus be made to appear less like an outright usurpation.
From A Source Book of Medi?val History Documents Illustrative of European Life and Institutions from the German Invasions to the Renaissance by Ogg, Frederic Austin
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.
