usurpation

UK: /ˌjuːzɜːˈpeɪʃən/

US: /ˌjusɚˈpeɪʃən, -zɚ-/

US: (yo̅o̅′sər pā′shən, -zər-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

u•sur•pa•tion  (yo̅o̅′sər pā′shən, -zər-), n. 

1. an act of usurping; wrongful or illegal encroachment, infringement, or seizure.
2. illegal seizure and occupation of a throne.

• Latin ūsūrpātiōn- (stem of ūsūrpātiō), equivalent. to ūsūrpāt(us) (past participle of ūsūrpāre to usurp) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English 1350–1400

u•sur•pa•tive  (yo̅o̅ sûr′pə tiv, -zûr′-), u•sur•pa•to•ry  (yo̅o̅ sûr′pə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē, -zûr′-), adj. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

u•surp /yuˈsɜrp, -ˈzɜrp/   v [~ + object]

1. to seize and hold by force or without legal right:
   to usurp a rightful government.

u•sur•pa•tion /ˌyusɚˈpeɪʃən, -zɚ-/  n. [uncountable]
u•surp•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

u•surp  (yo̅o̅ sûrp′, -zûrp′), v.t. 

1. to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right:
   The pretender tried to usurp the throne.
2. to use without authority or right;
   employ wrongfully:
   The magazine usurped copyrighted material.

v.i. 

3. to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.;
   encroach.

• Latin ūsūrpāre to take possession through use, equivalent. to ūsū (ablative of ūsus use (noun, nominal)) + -rp-, reduced form of -rip-, combining form of rapere to seize + -āre infinitive ending
• Middle English 1275–1325

u•surp′er, n. 
u•surp′ing•ly, adv.