usurp

IPA/juːˈzɜːp/
KK[jˌusˈɚp]IPA/juːˈzɜːrp/

usurp — verb

  • usurppresent simple I / you / we / they
  • usurpshe / she / it
  • usurpedpast simple
  • usurping-ing form

1. to seize an important position, throne, or control for yourself when it belongs

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to seize an important position, throne, or control for yourself when it belongs to someone else

Example

Cyrus usurped the throne while the young king was abroad.

usurp + the throne

Power was usurped by the army in the capital before dawn.

passive: power was usurped by [group]

Common collocations
  • usurp the throne
  • usurp power
  • usurp authority
  • usurp control of a country or city
Synonyms
  • seize

    broader and can describe taking objects as well as power

  • take over

    more common and less judgmental about whether the action was rightful

  • overthrow

    focuses on removing a ruler or system, not necessarily taking the role yourself

  • appropriate

    often used for taking things or rights for yourself rather than political control

Antonyms
  • relinquish

    to give up power or a position willingly

  • yield

    to let another person keep or take control instead

Grammar Patterns

usurp + power/authority/control

usurp + the throne

Usage Note

Usually used in formal writing about rulers, governments, or other powerful positions. It sounds openly critical and suggests the takeover was not lawful or rightful.

Common Mistakes

Mina usurped the office after winning the election.
Mina took office after winning the election.
'usurp' implies taking power without a proper right, not gaining it through a normal process.
The board usurped Daniel as the new chair.
The board appointed Daniel as the new chair.
'usurp' means wrongfully taking a position for yourself, not officially giving someone a role.

2. to step into another person's place or take a right or function that should rema

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to step into another person's place or take a right or function that should remain theirs

Example

Kemi felt her sister had usurped her role in planning the wedding.

usurp + someone's role

Mobile tickets have usurped paper ones on many bus routes.

thing usurps thing in everyday use

Common collocations
  • usurp someone's role
  • usurp a right
  • usurp duties meant for another person
  • usurp someone's place
Synonyms
  • supplant

    very close, but often stresses being pushed out by something newer or stronger

  • replace

    neutral and does not suggest that the action was improper

  • appropriate

    focuses more on taking another person's right or claim for yourself

  • encroach on

    weaker and often gradual, suggesting you move into someone else's area

Antonyms
  • defer to

    to let another person keep the role or decision

  • respect

    to leave another person's rights or place untouched

Grammar Patterns

usurp + someone's role/place

usurp + duties/rights/functions

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this use does not need a ruler or government setting. It is used when a person, tool, or rival takes over a role, duty, or place that should belong to someone else.

Common Mistakes

The new printer usurped the broken one in our office.
The new printer replaced the broken one in our office.
'usurp' suggests wrongful takeover, not an ordinary swap.
I usurped Nora's shift because she asked me to cover it.
I took Nora's shift because she asked me to cover it.
if the other person gave permission, 'usurp' is too strong.

Word family

  • usurper
    nounC2
  • usurpation
    nounC2
  • usurped
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Seize' is the broadest of these words. It can describe grabbing power, land, or even a bag. 'Take over' is much more common and often sounds neutral, especially in business or daily life. 'Usurp' is stronger because it says the power or role belonged to someone else and was taken without the right to do so. 'Supplant' is close in the sense of pushing another person or thing aside, but it often focuses on replacement rather than wrongful authority. 'Appropriate' usually refers to taking money, land, or rights for yourself, not becoming the ruler. A minister might take over a department legally, but a rebel who drives out the king and claims the throne has usurped it.

seize ↗take over ↗supplant ↗appropriate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • usurp someone as leader
  • usurp someone's place
  • usurp power from someone

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Usurp comes from the Latin verb 'usurpare', which meant to take something into your own use or claim it as your own. As the word moved into English through French, its meaning narrowed. It came to describe taking power, rights, or another person's place without proper authority.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a