Library / English Dictionary

USURP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession

Example:

She seized control of the throne after her husband died

Synonyms:

arrogate; assume; seize; take over; usurp

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "usurp" is one way to...):

take (take by force)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "usurp"):

annex (take (territory) as if by conquest)

appropriate; capture; conquer; seize (take possession of by force, as after an invasion)

preoccupy (occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance)

hijack (seize control of)

raid (take over (a company) by buying a controlling interest of its stock)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

usurpation (wrongfully seizing and holding (an office or powers) by force (especially the seizure of a throne or supreme authority))

usurper (one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Take the place of

Example:

gloom had usurped mirth at the party after the news of the terrorist act broke

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "usurp" is one way to...):

replace; supersede; supervene upon; supplant (take the place or move into the position of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Credits