usurp

verb

yu̇-ˈsərp 

also

-ˈzərp 

usurped; usurping; usurps

transitive verb

1

a

: to seize and hold (office, place, functions, powers, etc.) in possession by force or without right

usurp a throne

b

: to take or make use of without right

usurped the rights to her life story

2

: to take the place of by or as if by force : supplant

must not let stock responses based on inherited prejudice usurp careful judgment

intransitive verb

: to seize or exercise authority or possession wrongfully

usurpation

ˌyü-sər-ˈpā-shən 

 also  ˌyü-zər-

noun

Did you know?

Usurp was borrowed into English in the 14th century from the Anglo-French word usorper, which in turn derives from the Latin verb usurpare, meaning "to take possession of without a legal claim." Usurpare itself was formed by combining usu (a form of usus, meaning "use") and rapere ("to seize"). Other descendants of rapere in English include rapacious ("given to seizing or extorting what is coveted"), rapine ("the seizing and carrying away of things by force"), rapt (the earliest sense of which is "lifted up and carried away"), and ravish (one meaning of which is "to seize and take away by violence").

Synonyms

• appropriate
• arrogate
• commandeer
• convert
• expropriate
• pirate
• preempt
• press
• seize
• take over

Examples of usurp in a Sentence

Some people have accused city council members of trying to usurp the mayor's power.

attempting to usurp the throne

Recent Examples on the Web

The beloved local chain of dive bars has been usurped in recent years by Gen Z, looking for cheap well drinks and a staff that won’t call the cops if seven people are vaping under a table. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024

Banks were usurped in their core function of deposit gathering and transaction accounts. —Gene A. Grant Ii, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

The premise of this question is that the state legislature should usurp the role of the EPA in regulating emissions, for example expanding on CAFE standards or mandating EV’s. —The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024

And that’s just scratching the surface: Any one of those could potentially be usurped by gems by Lainey Wilson, Sturgill Simpson, Megan Moroney, and Beyoncé. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French usorper, from Latin usurpare to take possession of without legal claim, from usu (ablative of usus use) + rapere to seize — more at rapid

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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Kids Definition

usurp

verb

yu̇-ˈsərp 

also

-ˈzərp 

: to seize and hold by force or without right

usurp power from the king

Legal Definition

usurp

verb

yu̇-ˈsərp, -ˈzərp 

transitive verb

: to seize and hold (as office, place, or powers) in possession by force or without right

the courts may not usurp the powers of the legislature

intransitive verb

: to seize or exercise authority or possession wrongfully

usurpation

ˌyü-sər-ˈpā-shən, -zər- 

noun

usurper

yu̇-ˈsər-pər, -ˈzər- 

noun

Etymology

Latin usurpare to take possession of without a strict legal claim, from usus use + rapere to seize