usurper

American  

[yoo-sur-per, -zur‐] / juˈsɜr pər, -ˈzɜr‐ /

noun

1. someone who seizes an office or position of power by force or without legal right, or who is perceived to have done so.

   The usurper Vitigis gathered his army together and laid siege to Rome.

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Etymology

Origin of usurper

First recorded in 1400–50; usurp ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

A usurper is someone who wrongfully takes someone else's place. A usurper usually tries to take someone's place on the throne, rather than someone's seat on a bus. If you were married, and someone cheated with your spouse and then married your spouse, you would probably consider that person a usurper: someone who took your place in a way that's shady or wrong. A king who is overthrown would consider the new king a usurper. Usurper is a strong word for someone who has taken or usurped what rightfully belonged to someone else.

Example Sentences

Once Remick’s mentor, she now views him as an usurper.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Peng's children took over command of the MNDAA, waiting for the opportunity to oust Bai, in their eyes the usurper.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2023

Mehmed regarded himself not as a usurper but as the rightful successor to the Byzantines.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

And with breeding season sending Yakei into the middle of something like a messy love triangle, some experts wonder if she may be vulnerable to a usurper.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2022

The usurper Pelias had been told by an oracle that he would die at the hands of kinsmen, and that he should beware of anyone whom he saw shod with only a single sandal.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• authoritarian
• autocrat
• commander
• despot
• totalitarian
• tyrant