'Usurp' definitions:

Definition of 'usurp'

(from WordNet)
verb
Seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession; "He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town"; "he usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the throne after her husband died" [syn: assume, usurp, seize, take over, arrogate]
verb
Take the place of; "gloom had usurped mirth at the party after the news of the terrorist act broke"

Definition of 'Usurp'

From: GCIDE
  • Usurp \U*surp"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Usurped; p. pr. & vb. n. Usurping.] [L. usurpare, usurpatum, to make use of, enjoy, get possession of, usurp; the first part of usurpare is akin to usus use (see Use, n.): cf. F. usurper.] To seize, and hold in possession, by force, or without right; as, to usurp a throne; to usurp the prerogatives of the crown; to usurp power; to usurp the right of a patron is to oust or dispossess him. [1913 Webster]
  • Alack, thou dost usurp authority. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Another revolution, to get rid of this illegitimate and usurped government, would of course be perfectly justifiable. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Usurp is applied to seizure and use of office, functions, powers, rights, etc.; it is not applied to common dispossession of private property. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To arrogate; assume; appropriate. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Usurp'

From: GCIDE
  • Usurp \U*surp"\, v. i. To commit forcible seizure of place, power, functions, or the like, without right; to commit unjust encroachments; to be, or act as, a usurper. [1913 Webster]
  • The parish churches on which the Presbyterians and fanatics had usurped. --Evelyn. [1913 Webster]
  • And now the Spirits of the Mind Are busy with poor Peter Bell; Upon the rights of visual sense Usurping, with a prevalence More terrible than magic spell. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'usurp'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Usurp'