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
The president has usurped the war power from Congress.
—
Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
Newsom and Bonta announced that the Golden State was the first state to sue the White House in federal court, arguing that the president had usurped Congress’s power to set taxes and control the budget by enacting the tolls.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2025
None of this bodes well for Vance’s argument that judges are trying to usurp the role of American voters.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Pitney Bowes is now on its fourth CEO in three years, with the activist investor that started it all usurping the head of the table.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
Newsom and Bonta announced that the Golden State was the first state to sue the White House in federal court, arguing that the president had usurped Congress’s power to set taxes and control the budget by enacting the tolls.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2025
None of this bodes well for Vance’s argument that judges are trying to usurp the role of American voters.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Pitney Bowes is now on its fourth CEO in three years, with the activist investor that started it all usurping the head of the table.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for usurp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurp
Verb
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This harmonious and uplifting transit encourages you to take bold steps toward your desires and seize opportunities that come your way.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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Search warrants would be conducted from June 2-6 in Lagos, Portugal, and any evidence seized is set to be handed over to Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Reuters reported, citing Portuguese police.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Provincial Police confiscated the 1964 Iso Rivolta Grifo A3 Stradale, entered in the Concorso by Thomas Shannon, after allegedly stopping its American driver on the streets of Cernobbio without an International Driving Permit.—
Michael Taylor,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Police confiscated guns, heroin, cocaine and $19,000 in cash when executing a search warrant.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Sophomore infielder Luke Nixon was responsible for half of them, stealing 14 in 16 attempts.—
Mitch Light,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Listen to this article An NYPD cop stomped into critical condition by a pair of Bronx muggers who stole his gun was released from the hospital Wednesday.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Scott grabbed some pizza and returned to park her Subaru near the West Shore Market to wait for Serafini.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
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Appeal To All Five Senses People still like going out, meeting others and grabbing coffee.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Nearly the entire Republican Party, which occupied about seventy percent of congressional seats, voted for it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 June 2025
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In a space formerly occupied by the finance ministry, a towering glass ceiling shelters statues that once cavorted in open courtyards.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Months after the expose ran in late 2023, Brand also converted to Christianity and has been outspoken about his new faith.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
30 May 2025
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Entering the final year of his three-year contract with the New Jersey Devils, Haula’s full no-trade protection will convert to a six-team no-trade clause on July 1.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurp. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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