usurp Hear it!

usurp definition

usurp (yo̵̅o̅ sʉrp′, -zʉrp′)

transitive verb

to take or assume (power, a position, property, rights, etc.) and hold in possession by force or without right

Etymology: ME usurpen < MFr usurper < L usurpare < usus, a use + rapere, to seize: see rape

intransitive verb

to practice or commit usurpation (on or upon)

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

usurp Synonyms

usurp

v.

assume, appropriate, expropriate, commandeer, lay hold of; see also seize 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

usurp Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • power: One is the usurping of power by a new force from an older energy.

Object

  • throne: Henry IV, son of John of Gaunt usurps the throne with the support of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland.

Subject

  • device: My H Drive letter has been usurped by another device Home Directories - How do I access my network files from the Mac?

Preposition: by

  • device: My H Drive letter has been usurped by another device Home Directories - How do I access my network files from the Mac?

Modifying Another Word

  • not: Future of the RUC The second tier would not usurp the powers of the RUC.
usurp usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"usurp." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/usurp>

APA Style

usurp. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/usurp

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