usurpation

noun

Definition of usurpationnext
as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority the unexpected usurpation of power by the government resulted in the townspeople revolting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of usurpation Wasserman Schultz’s decision to run in the historically Black 20th Congressional District was selfish and opportunistic carpetbagging, a devastating usurpation of power from Black Floridians. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 The attempt of any of the parts to exercise it is usurpation. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 Those laws sought to alter the reporting structure for the secretary or the directors in violation of Amendment 33 of the Arkansas Constitution, which protects the vested powers of constitutional boards, like the Board of Corrections, from usurpation by the governor, the General Assembly or both. — Arkansas Online, 18 May 2026 This is an ancient practice that continues into the Middle Ages called usurpation. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026 The Court’s usurpation runs deeper than the invalidation of statutes with a liberal cast, though there has been plenty of that. — Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026 As Isaac told it, his kingdom’s history is rife with treachery, usurpation, and murder. — Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usurpation
  1. takeover
  2. appropriation
  3. seizure
  4. annexation
Noun
  • In July, financial services platform Stripe and private equity firm Advent International made a takeover offer valued at more than $50 billion, but are said to have abandoned their pursuit, according to Bloomberg.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Seemingly, the only thing that could slow down the automobile takeover was diminishing fuel supplies, fear of which had become a fixation of American oil companies and government officials after the Armistice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of takeover
Noun
  • Telle’s legislative experience also includes working with the Senate appropriations committee’s subcommittee to manage the Department of Homeland Security’s budget.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
  • On Tuesday members of the House of Representatives voted 370-48, with 14 members not voting, to adopt a Senate appropriations bill that will continue funding federal agencies until December 11.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of appropriation
Noun
  • According to a report from LASD released Tuesday, no arrests were made during the search and seizure and the investigation into the Arcadia business is ongoing.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The staff immediately gave her magnesium sulfate to prevent her from having seizures.
    — Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of seizure
Noun
  • Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said Trump’s annexation threats carry particular weight in Quebec.
    — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • By gradually accomplishing a de-facto annexation of the West Bank, the settlements would require Israeli Jews either to rule over a resentful non-Jewish population of about equal size or to surrender the Jewish identity of their state.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of annexation

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Usurpation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usurpation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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