usurp
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for usurp, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To seize power, a position, or a right that belongs to someone else, without any legal right to it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
arrogate
take over
Antonyms
How to use usurp
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
usurp the throne
usurp power
usurp authority
Etymology
From Old French usurper, from Latin usurpare ("to make use of, seize for use").
Full origin of usurp →Frequently asked questions
What does “usurp” mean?
The word “usurp” means to seize power, a position, or a right that belongs to someone else, without any legal right to it. In plain terms, to take someone else's power or position by force or without the right to do so.
How do you pronounce “usurp”?
“Usurp” is pronounced yoo-ZURP (/juˈsɝp/ in IPA).
How do you use “usurp” in a sentence?
Here is “usurp” used in a sentence: “The general usurped the throne after the king died.”
What part of speech is “usurp”?
“Usurp” is a verb.
Where does the word “usurp” come from?
The word “usurp” comes from Latin. From Old French usurper, from Latin usurpare ("to make use of, seize for use").
