Usurp: meaning, definitions and examples

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usurp

[ juˈsɜːrp ]

^{Context #1}

take power by force

To seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right.

Synonyms

appropriate, seize, take over

Examples of usage

He was accused of trying to usurp the throne.
The general attempted to usurp the authority of the government.

^{Context #2}

take the place of

To take the place of (someone in a position of power) illegally; supplant.

Synonyms

overthrow, replace, supplant

Examples of usage

He sought to usurp his brother as head of the business.
The young prince plotted to usurp the king.

Translations

Translations of the word "usurp" in other languages:

🇵🇹 usurpar

🇮🇳 हथियाना

🇩🇪 usurpieren

🇮🇩 merebut

🇺🇦 узурпувати

🇵🇱 uzurpować

🇯🇵 奪取する

🇫🇷 usurper

🇪🇸 usurpar

🇹🇷 zorla almak

🇰🇷 찬탈하다

🇸🇦 اغتصب

🇨🇿 uzurpovat

🇸🇰 uzurpovať

🇨🇳 篡夺

🇸🇮 uzurpirati

🇮🇸 ráða yfir

🇰🇿 басып алу

🇬🇪 უზურპირება

🇦🇿 qəsb etmək

🇲🇽 usurpar

Word origin

The word 'usurp' comes from the Latin word 'usurpare', meaning 'to seize for use, appropriate'. It has been used in English since the 14th century with the meaning of seizing power or authority without the right to do so.

See also: usurpation, usurpator, usurper, usurping, usurpist.