as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
the unexpected usurpation of power by the government resulted in the townspeople revolting
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Recent Examples of usurpation
The Court’s usurpation runs deeper than the invalidation of statutes with a liberal cast, though there has been plenty of that.
—
Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
As Isaac told it, his kingdom’s history is rife with treachery, usurpation, and murder.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
As Isaac told it, his kingdom’s history is rife with treachery, usurpation, and murder.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurpation
Noun
-
Around the same time, Southwest’s management came under pressure following an activist takeover by Elliott Investment Management.—
Dallas Morning News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Molinar’s update on student performance data comes less than a week after the district lost its final attempt at appealing a state takeover from the Texas Education Agency.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While the bill doesn't include a dollar amount, DeLano said the plan is to request $50 million in appropriations later in the session.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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With a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fast approaching, all but one Democratic Senator voted against advancing an appropriations bill to fund the department.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The courts have granted exceptions to a seizure without a search warrant and each specific incident should be reviewed based on its facts.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
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Those documents will reveal the grounds the federal government used to justify the FBI’s seizure of 2020 election records last month.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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France opened its consulate the same day, a move that paired with Canada’s opening, and underscores European and Canadian aims to reassure Greenlanders worried about a possible annexation.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Feb. 2026
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DeForest officials deemed a project unfeasible due to a large land annexation requirement.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurpation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurpation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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