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
But the White House has framed the judge as attempting to usurp the power of the presidency.
—
Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
The movie takes place in 1957, when Genovese is jealous of Costello’s power and influence and wants to usurp him as the big boss in New York.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, claims OPM is usurping congressional authority.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 20 Feb. 2025
Trump and some Republican allies have attacked Boasberg, calling for his impeachment and accusing him of seeking to usurp the power of the presidency.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
The movie takes place in 1957, when Genovese is jealous of Costello’s power and influence and wants to usurp him as the big boss in New York.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, claims OPM is usurping congressional authority.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 20 Feb. 2025
Trump and some Republican allies have attacked Boasberg, calling for his impeachment and accusing him of seeking to usurp the power of the presidency.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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These results suggest that media-savvy Democrats who seize this moment to call out Trump and the MAGA agenda could put themselves in a strong position to become the next leader of the Democratic Party.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Big little Liechtenstein Soon after the Castro brothers seized power in 1959, at the height of the Cold War as the globe was falling into capitalist or communist camps, a complete U.S. trade embargo sought to choke the Cuban economy and bring about regime change.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Then, in 2010, the bank where the chips were stored confiscated the chips after opening the deposit box.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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The animals were confiscated and given to multiple wildlife agencies for care, according to the post.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Coop is fired from his high-profile finance job, starts stealing from his wealthy neighbors to keep up his lifestyle, chaos ensues, and get your popcorn ready.—
Danielle Pergament,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
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When Myers arrived at the shed, Mahdi attacked, shooting him nine times, pouring diesel fuel on his body and setting him on fire before stealing his police truck and multiple guns, court records say.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Antetokounmpo finished the game by scoring 36 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking two shots.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
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So grab a pencil, a few colors or a coloring book and enjoy your boosted brain power.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Last spring, Harvard students protesting Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza occupied the university's central courtyard for 20 days and staged a 24-hour sit-in in another building.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Israeli Defense Forces now claim to occupy some 30% of Gaza territory.—
Lucien Bruggeman,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The largest cause of deforestation is a lack of demand for forest products, which causes our forest to be converted to industrial, agricultural, residential uses.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
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However, his time with the Patriots was brief—the team had drafted him with the intention of converting him to another position like defensive back or running back, position changes Gannon resisted.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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