as in seizing
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
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Recent Examples of usurping
He is now engaged in an ongoing insurrection by violating the Constitution, exceeding his lawful authorities, usurping Congress, and encouraging Republican states to manipulate voting districts and procedures.
—
Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The War of the Two Caesars also serves as a nice mirror for everything going down with the Brotherhood, Elder Cleric Quintus still hellbent on usurping the Commonwealth despite the arrival of Kumail Nanjiani’s Paladin Xander Harkness, an emissary from that neck of the woods.
—Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The District of Columbia attorney general, however, accused the administration of unlawfully usurping control of the city’s law enforcement and violating a law prohibiting troops from doing domestic police work.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Nov. 2025
Over time, her biological daughters would number in the thousands, usurping the colony until none of the original species remained.
—CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
Vought has exerted extraordinary control over government spending this year, usurping congressional decisions on how the nation's money is used.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
He has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with the sheriff and of usurping her authority, leading the county Board of Supervisors to eliminate his position in November 2024.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Can a President break that compact, without consequence, usurping police powers that were never his to begin with?
—Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 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
Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The War of the Two Caesars also serves as a nice mirror for everything going down with the Brotherhood, Elder Cleric Quintus still hellbent on usurping the Commonwealth despite the arrival of Kumail Nanjiani’s Paladin Xander Harkness, an emissary from that neck of the woods.
—Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The District of Columbia attorney general, however, accused the administration of unlawfully usurping control of the city’s law enforcement and violating a law prohibiting troops from doing domestic police work.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Nov. 2025
Over time, her biological daughters would number in the thousands, usurping the colony until none of the original species remained.
—CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
Vought has exerted extraordinary control over government spending this year, usurping congressional decisions on how the nation's money is used.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
He has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with the sheriff and of usurping her authority, leading the county Board of Supervisors to eliminate his position in November 2024.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Can a President break that compact, without consequence, usurping police powers that were never his to begin with?
—Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurping
Verb
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China is seizing an opportunity to challenge American dominance in global finance and exert greater international influence at the expense of the all-powerful US dollar.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Allegations include entering homes without warrants, stopping, intimidating and seizing legal observers, and detaining suspects by virtue of their appearance or accent.—
Yohuru Williams,
The Conversation,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The mood shifted around midnight, when a guest lost her phone and began accusing others of stealing it, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Two more people were arrested after allegedly stealing about $1 million in gold jewelry in the January smash-and-grab robbery of a Yuba City jewelry store, police said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now the city wants more tools to expand its limited enforcement options, which would start with warnings, then fines and may include confiscating food, equipment and carts found in violation of city ordinance and health codes.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Video of the incident shows a CBP officer confiscating the handgun shortly before other agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.—
Paul Kiefer,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hearing the faint sirens of the white police officers who have been monitoring the area for no real reason, Kid attempts to blend into the party by grabbing the mic of the bored DJ—played by Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton—to freestyle.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
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Or, Stein recommends grabbing a bed/mattress vacuum that is made specifically for the mattress.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Several art organizations are also in residence, as well as the Museo de Las Américas occupying the second floor.—
Lauren Sanchez,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
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When the Pac-12 presented an opportunity to disassociate from the Mountain West’s lower tier, especially with schedule strength occupying a central role in the CFP selection process, Boise State, SDSU, Fresno State, Colorado State and Utah State simply could not afford to pass.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cross later filed a federal lawsuit against Nanos, claiming the sheriff violated his First Amendment rights.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Then, in 2012, a process server sued Hadder, claiming he was assaulted and wrongfully arrested while trying to serve a subpoena.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Korean researchers have demonstrated a new method for producing jet fuel by converting landfill gas originating from food waste and manure into liquid fuel.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
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The princess took advantage of the spacious Kensington Palace home, converting its top floor into a playground for her two young sons.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usurping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurping. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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