arrogation

Meaning

1. 1noununcountableformaldisapproving

   The act of claiming power, rights or credit for yourself without having any proper basis for it.

   Grammar: Often followed by of: arrogation of power; usually negative in tone.

   Patterns

   • arrogation of something
   • arrogation by someone

   Critics condemned the arrogation of power by the committee.

   The arrogation of the leader's title by a junior officer caused outrage.

   Historians describe the king's arrogation of legal authority as a turning point.

Word forms

Common combinations

arrogation of power

The arrogation of power by the council angered voters.

arrogation of authority

The judge warned against arrogation of authority.

arrogation of rights

The arrogation of rights by one group harmed others.

unlawful arrogation

The court found an unlawful arrogation of jurisdiction.

arrogation of credit

His arrogation of credit upset his team.

Synonyms and how they differ

usurpation

Usurpation means taking a position or power by force or without right, often from someone who held it before.

appropriation

Appropriation is neutral in many contexts, such as appropriation of funds, while arrogation always implies unfair claiming.

presumption

Presumption is a wider word for overstepping boundaries in behavior, not necessarily about power.

overreach

Overreach describes going beyond proper limits, while arrogation focuses on claiming something that is not yours.

Opposites

Word family

arrogate verb

to claim something without right

arrogant adjective

proud and overbearing

arrogance noun

excessive pride in yourself

arrogantly adverb

in a proud and overbearing way

Commonly confused: arrogation or arrogance? arrogation or abrogation?

Practice

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