as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the mayor usurped the school board's authority when he fired the principal
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Recent Examples of usurp
In 2023, according to Guiness, a farmer in Quebec usurped Cool Patch for the title to world’s largest maze.
—
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
Both sides of the aisle should be wary when politicians usurp the responsibility of investors.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2024
Upon its release in 2001, Shrek was one of the highest-grossing films of the box office that year, usurped by Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
By August, the word had already started to be usurped by another buzzworthy ethos that emerged from TikTok, courtesy of content creator Jools Lebron.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for usurp 
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
Both sides of the aisle should be wary when politicians usurp the responsibility of investors.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2024
Upon its release in 2001, Shrek was one of the highest-grossing films of the box office that year, usurped by Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
By August, the word had already started to be usurped by another buzzworthy ethos that emerged from TikTok, courtesy of content creator Jools Lebron.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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Gi-hun chases the recruiter off and seizes the business card from the victim.Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
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Before Hamas seized full control of Gaza in 2007, Christians would often place a large Christmas tree near a major square in Gaza City.Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Shortly after releasing six tracks from the project, TMZ reported that his cell was raided and any equipment that could be used to record audio was confiscated.Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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In 2009, the high-school student was taken from her home in Homs by Syrian security forces, and her computer, CDs and other possessions confiscated, according to Amnesty International.Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis When The Davenports was released in 2023, the Davenport sisters stole our hearts.Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 18 Dec. 2024
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While brushing may appear like a victimless crime, the reality is that the recipient's personal information may have been stolen.Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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When the clock strikes midnight, grab one of these eight crackers and pop it to show your excitement for the start of 2025.Christopher Murray, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
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So grab another beer from your golf bag en route to the 19th hole and have a look at the Happy Gilmore 2 teaser below.Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Croatian-Italian-Slovenian coproduction takes the audience back to 1919, when the Italian nationalist poet, dandy and preacher of war Gabriele D’Annunzio occupied the city of Fiume.Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Dec. 2024
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In the film, Dylan, guitar in hand, comes upon Guthrie’s hospital room already occupied by Seeger.Brady Gerber, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Two helipads with one converted into a basketball court, and a dedicated spa area with a beauty salon and gym.Jim Dobson, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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The Broncos converted only two of their nine third-down conversions that followed the 3-of-3 start.Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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