Word
Definition
v. to take power or a position by force or without permission. It usually describes someone taking over a role that belongs to another person.
v. to seize power, authority, or a position by force or without legal right. Often implies a violation of established order or hierarchy.
Examples
“The general tried to usurp the king's power.”
“The new manager attempted to usurp the director's authority by making decisions without consulting the board.”
“Historians often debate whether the revolution was a legitimate transfer of power or a violent attempt to usurp the throne from a weakened monarch.”
Examples
simple
“The general tried to usurp the king's power.”
contextual
“The new manager attempted to usurp the director's authority by making decisions without consulting the board.”
complex
“Historians often debate whether the revolution was a legitimate transfer of power or a violent attempt to usurp the throne from a weakened monarch.”
Real-World Examples
“Developer Arc System Works, a fan-favourite studio famous for its hyper-fluid and extremely technical anime-style fighting games, has been on a long journey to usurp Capcom’s throne.” “Some critics, including the Trump administration, view citizen suits as a way for citizens to usurp the executive branch’s prosecutorial authority .” Etymology
From Middle English usurpen, from Old French usurper, from Latin ūsūrpō (ūsus use + rapiō seize).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/usurp
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0