Synonyms for usurp
Most common
Definitions
- v. 1
To seize and hold or use (powers, an office, a coat of arms, a right or copyright, etc) from another, without right (usually by illegitimate means).
Related words
- Word family
- usurpation usurper
Forms
- Past participle
- usurped
e.g. usurped → seized, assumed, arrogated, confiscated…
Choose the right word
He may assume authority or office that is his right; if he assumes what does not belong to him, he is said to arrogate or usurp it. A man may usurp the substance of power in the most unpretending way; what he arrogates to himself he assumes with a haughty and overbearing manner.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- seize You have to seize the opportunity with both hands.
- confiscate Elias ordered the guard to confiscate Sandra's phone.
- supersede Malians need to supersede their ethnic fault lines.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| usurp | steady | |
| seize | steady | |
| arrogate | falling | |
| confiscate | rising | |
| supersede | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- seize1
- 6 letters
- assume2
- 8 letters
- arrogate3, accroach
- 9 letters
- supersede3
- 10 letters
- confiscate3
- 11 letters
- appropriate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (assume2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- usurper
- Italiano
- usurpare
- Español
- usurpar
- Deutsch
- usurpieren