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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of usurp
While the Bundesliga marketing machine has usurped the original Klassiker by slapping the Klassiker label on Bayern against Dortmund, this is not only the match with the most history in Germany but also has been a competitive fixture over recent years.
—
Manuel Veth, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Vodka had overtaken gin in popularity by 1967, but by 2000 had fully usurped it, like Claudius to King Hamlet—occupied its position, married its wife, and taken control of its lands.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Jan. 2025
Again, West Ham worked behind his back in advance of usurping him.
—Phil Hay, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, mid-rehearsal, their mother, Rose (an absolutely magnificent McDonald), comes thundering onto the stage, usurping Jocko’s leadership and sucking up all of the air into the room.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for usurp 
Manuel Veth, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Vodka had overtaken gin in popularity by 1967, but by 2000 had fully usurped it, like Claudius to King Hamlet—occupied its position, married its wife, and taken control of its lands.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Jan. 2025
Again, West Ham worked behind his back in advance of usurping him.
—Phil Hay, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, mid-rehearsal, their mother, Rose (an absolutely magnificent McDonald), comes thundering onto the stage, usurping Jocko’s leadership and sucking up all of the air into the room.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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Yemen's Houthi rebels announced on Wednesday the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized in November 2023 during their campaign in the Red Sea.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, land Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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School employees eventually confiscated it, finding the tan and black semi-automatic handgun inside with 30 rounds of ammunition and an attached laser pointer, charges allege.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2025
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Corey then allegedly confiscated the women’s phones, shot the gun out the window, and then pointed the gold gun at the two ladies.—
Marc Griffin,
VIBE.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The pursuit of Richard started on Interstate 40 that morning, and the bus was stolen from Little Rock the night before, the release states.—
Grant Lancaster,
arkansasonline.com,
17 Jan. 2025
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Gillespie stole the ball from Berry, but Reese promptly gave the ball away with 0.7 seconds left on the clock.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the hills of the Palisades, near the Temescal Ridge Trail, Alex Emerick, 34, his younger sister, Rainier, and their parents grabbed garden hoses at their home of 33 years.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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The witness jumped in to assist and grab the knife, cutting himself in the process.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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San Diego Wave has completed the signing of France midfielder Kenza Dali from Aston Villa. Dali, 33, has joined the club on a two-year deal through to 2027 and will occupy an international slot on the Wave’s roster in 2025.—
Ali Rampling,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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By then, anti-vaccination protesters had occupied the grounds outside Parliament, and Ardern and her family were threatened with violence.—
Caryn James,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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On the ensuing possession, Rice was fouled and converted the first of two free throws with 22 seconds to go.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Jan. 2025
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Advertisement Also, last month, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office.—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near usurp
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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