usurp
[ yoo-surp, -zurp ]
/ yuˈsɜrp, -ˈzɜrp /
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verb (used with object)
to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right: The pretender tried to usurp the throne.
to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully: The magazine usurped copyrighted material.
verb (used without object)
to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.
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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
OTHER WORDS FROM usurp
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use usurp in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for usurp
usurp
/ (juːˈzɜːp) /
verb
to seize, take over, or appropriate (land, a throne, etc) without authority
Derived forms of usurp
usurpation, nounusurpative or usurpatory, adjectiveusurper, nounWord Origin for usurp
C14: from Old French usurper, from Latin ūsūrpāre to take into use, probably from ūsus use + rapere to seize
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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