USURP

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does usurp mean? 

• USURP (verb)
  The verb USURP has 2 senses:

1. seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
2. take the place of

  Familiarity information: USURP used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• USURP (verb)

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

take over; usurp; arrogate; seize; assume

Context examples:

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

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

Meaning:

Take the place of

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

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

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

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

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something