Definitions for usurp
yuˈsɜrp, -ˈzɜrpusurp

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.7 / 3 votes

1. assume, usurp, seize, take over, arrogateverb

   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"

2. usurpverb

   take the place of

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

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. usurpverb

   To seize power from another, usually by illegitimate means.

2. usurpverb

   To use and assume the coat of arms of another person.

3. Etymology: From French usurper, from Latin ūsūrpāre

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. To Usurpverb

   To possess by force or intrusion; to seize, or possess without right.

   Etymology: usuper, Fr. uusurpo, Lat.

   So ugly a darkness, as if it would prevent the night’s coming, usurped the day’s right. Philip Sidney, b. ii.

   Not having the natural superiority of fathers, their power must be usurped, and then unlawful; or if lawful, then granted or consented unto by them over whom they exercise the same, or else given them extraordinarily from God. Richard Hooker.

   In as much as the due estimation of heavenly truth dependeth wholly upon the known and approved authority of those famous oracles of God, it greatly behoveth the church to have always most special care, humane inventions usurp the room and title of divine worship. Richard Hooker, b. v.

   Victorious prince of York!
   Before I see thee seated in that throne,
   Which now the house of Lancaster usurps,
   These eyes shall never close. William Shakespeare, Hen. VI.

   What art thou, that usurp’st this time of night,
   Together with that fair and warlike form? William Shakespeare.

   Their fox-like thefts are so rank, as a man may find whole pages usurp’d from one author. Ben Jonson.

   So he dies,
   But soon revives; death over him no pow’r
   Shall long usurp: ere the third dawning light
   Return, the stars of morn shall see him rise
   Out of his grave. John Milton, Par. Lost, b. xii.

   All fountains of the deep
   Broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp
   Beyond all bounds, ’till inundation rise
   Above the highest hills. John Milton.

   Farewell court,
   Where vice not only hath usurpt the place,
   But the reward, and even the name of virtue. John Denham.

   Your care about your banks infers a fear
   Of threat’ning floods and inundations near:
   If so, a just reprize would only be
   Of what the land usurp’d upon the sea. Dryden.

   Who next usurps, will a just prince appear,
   So much your ruin will his reign endear. Dryden.

   Struggling in vain, impatient of her load,
   And lab’ring underneath the pond’rous God;
   The more she strove to shake him from her breast,
   With more and far superior force he press’d,
   Commands his entrance, and, without controul,
   Usurps her organs, and inspires her soul. Dryden.

   Who’s this, that dares usurp
   The guards and habit of Numidia’s prince? Joseph Addison, Cato.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. usurp

   A usurper is an illegitimate or controversial claimant to power, often but not always in a monarchy. In other words, one who takes the power of a country, city, or established region for oneself, without any formal or legal right to claim it as one's own. Usurpers can rise to power in a region by often unexpected physical force, as well as through political influence and deceit.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. usurp

   Usurp is to take over or seize power, position, or rights from someone else illegally or by force, especially without having the right to do so. It often refers to acquiring authority, control, or a role that belongs to someone else.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Usurpverb

   to seize, and hold in possession, by force, or without right; as, to usurp a throne; to usurp the prerogatives of the crown; to usurp power; to usurp the right of a patron is to oust or dispossess him

2. Usurpverb

   to commit forcible seizure of place, power, functions, or the like, without right; to commit unjust encroachments; to be, or act as, a usurper

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Usurp

   ū-zurp′, v.t. to take possession of by force without right.—n. Usurpā′tion, act of usurping: unlawful seizure and possession: intrusion into an office.—adj. Usur′patory.—ns. Usur′pātrix, a female usurper; Usur′pature, usurpation.—adv. Usur′pedly.—n. Usur′per.—adj. Usur′ping.—adv. Usur′pingly. [Fr.,—L. usurpāre, perh. contr. from usu-rapĕre, to seize to one's own use—usus, use, rapĕre, to seize; or from usum rumpĕre, to break a use.]

Matched Categories

1. • Supplant

How to pronounce usurp?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say usurp in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of usurp in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of usurp in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of usurp in a Sentence

1. Jonathan Keller:

   Parents should be consulted before their minor children are given life-altering medical treatment, it's deeply concerning that the Legislature and the governor continue to usurp parental authority.

2. Paris Independent School District:

   The board believes the dress code can be used to mitigate communicable health issues, and therefore has amended the PISD dress code to protect our students and employees, the Texas governor does not have the authority to usurp the board of trustees' exclusive power and duty to govern and oversee the management of the public schools of the district.

3. Thor Stacey:

   This was a case of the federal government overstepping and trying to usurp the state's authority to manage its wildlife.

4. George Cardona:

   There is nothing more sacrosanct to our American democracy than free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power, the Notice of Disciplinary Charges alleges that Mr. Eastman violated this duty in furtherance of an attempt to usurp the will of the American people and overturn election results for the highest office in the land – an egregious and unprecedented attack on our democracy – for which he must be held accountable.

5. Iain Overton:

   I call today the age of the suicide bomber. This is very much a time of extreme acts that have to, in a way, usurp the previous attacks, they have to be much more devastating, more impactful, more hurtful, to get as much media headlines as possible.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=usurp
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Usurp
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=usurp
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usurp
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/usurp
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=usurp