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
And so this is part of a longstanding trend of Congress kind of allowing the White House to usurp their authority.
—
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 May 2026
This would reset the balance between the executive and legislative branches, demanding the House and Senate not cede excessive authority to unelected bureaucrats who are only too happy to usurp legislative powers.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Rookie catcher Daniel Susac isn’t going to usurp Bailey, a two-time Gold Glover, after a couple of good starts, but Susac could very well see more time against lefties.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
One wonders how long the citizens of those communities are going to put up with the state usurping their authority to govern themselves.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 May 2026
This would reset the balance between the executive and legislative branches, demanding the House and Senate not cede excessive authority to unelected bureaucrats who are only too happy to usurp legislative powers.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Rookie catcher Daniel Susac isn’t going to usurp Bailey, a two-time Gold Glover, after a couple of good starts, but Susac could very well see more time against lefties.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
One wonders how long the citizens of those communities are going to put up with the state usurping their authority to govern themselves.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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Photograph courtesy Jennifer Hulse Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the Six-Day War, in 1967.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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Bianco obtained three search warrants and began seizing ballots in February, despite being ordered by Attorney General Rob Bonta to pause the investigation.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Her family’s money was confiscated; her favorite uncle, Otto, was murdered by the Nazis; shrapnel lodged in Hepburn’s neck, giving it its beguiling tilt.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
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But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.—
Allen G. Breed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Goode reached on an infield hit and stole second before sophomore Ella Bianco drew a walk to load the bases.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
23 May 2026
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His camera performs a rousing restoration of the power often stolen from them, ensuring that by the time the credits roll, they’re finally imbued with the kind of divinity only offered to them in name.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Denise ascended the stairs, yelling at Djena all the way up, then grabbed Djena by the collar and began hitting her.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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To make one, grab a clean, thick sock (preferably a larger one) and fill it with uncooked rice, oats, or flaxseed.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
18 May 2026
Verb
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House members who occupy safe seats have fewer incentives to compromise or work across the aisle.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Whole Foods opening in Newport Beach Whole Foods is opening a second store in Newport Beach, claiming the spot occupied by a Ralphs grocery store at Westcliff Plaza.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Alina Puri scored in regulation for the Griffins (14-4-1), while Benedictine recruit Emma Lukin and Belmont commit Ava Feigl converted in the shootout.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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These locations are converted from empty storefronts and designed for Spark delivery drivers to collect online orders for last-mile delivery.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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