u·surp (y -sûrp , -zûrp )v. u·surped, u·surp·ing, u·surps v.tr.1. To seize and hold (the power or rights of another, for example) by force and without legal authority. See Synonyms at appropriate. 2. To take over or occupy without right: usurp a neighbor's land. v.intr. To seize another's place, authority, or possession wrongfully.
[Middle English usurpen, from Old French usurper, from Latin s rp re, to take into use, usurp; see reup- in Indo-European roots.]
u·surp er n. u·surp ing·ly adv. |
usurp [yewz-zurp] Verb to seize a position or power without authority [Latin usurpare to take into use] usurpation n usurper n
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Verb | 1. | usurp - seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession; "He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town"; "he usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the throne after her husband died"take - take by force; "Hitler took the Baltic Republics"; "The army took the fort on the hill" annex - take (territory) as if by conquest; "Hitler annexed Lithuania" appropriate, conquer, seize, capture - take possession of by force, as after an invasion; "the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants"; "The army seized the town"; "The militia captured the castle" preoccupy - occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance; "the army preoccupied the hills" hijack - seize control of; "they hijacked the judicial process" raid - take over (a company) by buying a controlling interest of its stock; "T. Boone Pickens raided many large companies" | | 2. | usurp - take the place of; "gloom had usurped mirth at the party after the news of the terrorist act broke"supercede, supersede, supervene upon, supplant, replace - take the place or move into the position of; "Smith replaced Miller as CEO after Miller left"; "the computer has supplanted the slide rule"; "Mary replaced Susan as the team's captain and the highest-ranked player in the school" |
usurp
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