Meaning & use
usurping
Last updated
Taking a position of power or authority illegally or by force.
See it in a sentence
The general was accused of usurping the throne from the rightful heir.
Critics said the new manager was usurping responsibilities that belonged to the team.
A note on using this word
Usurping comes from the Latin 'usurpare,' meaning to seize for one's own use, and almost always implies illegitimacy.
Words with a similar meaning
seizingoverthrowingcommandeering
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
relinquishingceding
Make it your own
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