Meaning & use
usurped
Last updated
Took a position of power, authority, or property illegally or by force.
See it in a sentence
The general usurped the throne after staging a midnight coup.
Employees felt their manager had usurped credit for the whole team's project.
A note on using this word
Carries a strong negative connotation of illegitimacy; distinguish from simply 'taking over,' which can be neutral.
Words with a similar meaning
seizedcommandeered
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
relinquished
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