usurp
usurp
Pronunciation
/juːˈzɜːrp/
First syllable: /juː/
/j/ - a palatal approximant (the "y" sound)
/uː/ - a close back long vowel (like the "oo" in "moon")
Second syllable: /ˈzɜːrp/
/ˈ/ - the primary stress mark (indicates the syllable with the strongest emphasis)
/z/ - a voiced alveolar sibilant (the "z" sound)
/ɜː/ - a mid-central long vowel (similar to the "ir" in "bird")
/r/ - an alveolar approximant (the "r" sound)
/p/ - a voiceless bilabial plosive (the "p" sound)
Word Form Variations
usurp (verb): The base form, meaning to seize power or control illegally or by force. Example: "The king was usurped by his brother."
usurps (verb, third-person singular present): Used with he, she, it, or singular nouns. Example: "He usurps the throne."
usurping (verb, present participle/gerund): Describes the act of usurping. Example: "Usurping power is a dangerous game." or "He was accused of usurping."
usurped (verb, past tense/past participle): Indicates that the act of usurping has already happened. Example: "The throne was usurped." or "Having been usurped, the king fled."
usurper (noun): A person who usurps. Example: "The usurper was eventually overthrown."
usurpers (noun, plural): More than one person who usurps. Example: "The kingdom faced many usurpers throughout its history."
usurpation (noun): The act of usurping; the wrongful seizure of power. Example: "The usurpation of the throne led to civil war."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb:
usurp (v.): To seize power, authority, or a position of importance wrongfully or by force, often without legal right. It implies a taking over that is not legitimate or morally justified.
Synonyms: supplant, seize, commandeer, appropriate, arrogate, wrest, displace, overthrow, dethrone, preempt
Antonyms: relinquish, surrender, yield, cede, restore, bequeath, inherit, legitimize, validate
Noun:
usurper (n.): A person who usurps; someone who takes power or a position of authority illegally or by force.
Synonyms: supplanter, interloper, intruder, claimant (often illegitimate), pretender, revolutionary, rebel, upstart
Antonyms: rightful heir, legitimate ruler, successor, incumbent, predecessor
usurpation (n.): The act or process of usurping; the wrongful or forcible seizure of power, authority, or a position.
Synonyms: seizure, takeover, coup, overthrow, displacement, appropriation, arrogation, supplanting, infringement
Antonyms: rightful succession, legitimate transfer, inheritance, relinquishment, restoration, return
Adjective (less common, but can be formed):
usurping (adj.): Characterized by or relating to the act of usurping; tending to usurp. (Often used as part of a participle phrase.)
Synonyms: seizing, supplanting, appropriating, aggressive, power-grabbing, ambitious
Antonyms: relinquishing, surrendering, yielding, compliant, submissive
Adverb (rare, and usually formed by modifying the adjective):
usurpingly (adv.): In a manner that involves or suggests usurpation.
Synonyms: forcefully, aggressively, illegitimately, wrongfully
Antonyms: rightfully, legitimately, willingly, submissively
Examples of Use
News/Online Publications:
"The military usurped power in a swift coup, ousting the elected president." (Hypothetical news report) This is a common usage in political reporting, particularly covering events where power changes hands illegally or by force.
"Critics argue that social media platforms are usurping our attention and distorting our perceptions of reality." (Hypothetical online article) This example uses "usurping" in a more figurative sense, where one thing gradually displaces another.
"The usurper of the throne was met with resistance from loyalist forces." (Hypothetical historical article) This illustrates the use of "usurper" in describing a historical figure who seized power.
Books:
"He planned to usurp his father's crown and claim it as his own." (Hypothetical example, common in fiction, especially fantasy and historical genres) "Usurp" frequently appears in stories about power struggles, ambition, and betrayal.
"The usurpation of her birthright fueled her quest for revenge." (Hypothetical example, again common in fiction) This shows "usurpation" used in the context of a narrative.
Entertainment (Film/Television):
"You dare usurp my authority?" (Hypothetical dialogue from a film or TV show, likely a drama or historical piece) This is a typical line spoken by a character whose power is being challenged.
The plot of many films and TV shows revolves around a character attempting to usurp someone else's position, whether in business, politics, or even personal relationships. (General observation)
General Public Discourse:
"He accused his opponent of trying to usurp his position in the company." (Hypothetical example of everyday conversation) "Usurp" can be used in everyday language to describe power struggles in various contexts, not just political ones.
"The usurper was eventually brought to justice." (Hypothetical example of someone discussing a historical or current event)
Figurative Usage:
"Technology has usurped many traditional forms of communication." (Hypothetical example) "Usurp" is often used figuratively to describe how one thing has replaced or displaced another, even without force or illegality.
10 Famous Quotes Using Usurp
“Do not let fear usurp the authority of your purpose.” (Unknown)
“My mentor said insecurity will try to usurp confidence if you let it.” (Unknown)
“History shows that those who usurp power rarely know how to wield it wisely.” (Unknown)
“A poet wrote that doubt will usurp love when trust is neglected.” (Unknown)
“Tyrants usurp thrones; leaders earn them.” (Unknown)
“Revolutions rise when the people refuse to let corruption usurp their voice.” (Unknown)
“Do not usurp someone’s joy with your own bitterness.” (Unknown)
“A strategist knows when ambition strengthens and when it begins to usurp integrity.” (Unknown)
“Let gratitude usurp resentment before resentment hardens.” (Unknown)
“Hope refuses to let despair usurp its throne.” (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "usurp" comes from Latin, specifically the word usurpare. Think of it like this:
us-: This prefix means "to use" or "to employ."
-urpare: This part relates to "seizing" or "taking possession." It's connected to the Latin word rapere, which means "to seize" or "to snatch." You might recognize rapere as the root of words like "rape" (in its original meaning of abduction) and "rapid."
So, put together, usurpare literally meant "to take possession by use" or "to seize for use." It carried the idea of taking something over and putting it to one's own use, often implying that the taking was not rightful.
The word "usurp" first appeared in English around the 14th century. Its initial meaning was very close to the Latin root: to seize and hold (power, a right, etc.) by force or without legal claim. It always carried that connotation of illegitimate or wrongful seizure.
Over time, the meaning of "usurp" has remained largely consistent. It still means to take power or control without right, often by force. While the literal sense of "taking possession for use" might not be immediately obvious in the modern definition, the core idea of seizing something that doesn't rightfully belong to you is still at the heart of the word.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Usurp
Phrases using "usurp":
Usurp power: This is a very common and straightforward phrase. It directly expresses the core meaning of the word.
Usurp the throne: A classic phrase, often used in historical or fictional contexts.
Usurp authority: This phrase highlights the taking over of a position of authority.
Usurp control: Similar to "usurp authority," but perhaps implying a more general kind of control.
Usurp one's place: This suggests taking someone else's position or role.
Usurp a right: This phrase indicates the taking away of a legitimate right.
Usurping influence: This describes the act of gradually gaining influence or power at the expense of another.
Original phrases (to illustrate usage):
"The newcomer attempted to usurp the team leader's position."
"Through cunning tactics, she usurped her rival's opportunity."
"He was accused of usurping credit for the project."
Idioms capturing the concept of usurping (without using the word):
To steal someone's thunder: This idiom means to take credit for someone else's idea or accomplishment, which is a kind of metaphorical usurpation.
To pull the rug out from under someone: This means to suddenly remove support or resources from someone, leaving them vulnerable. This can be a tactic used by a usurper.
To knife someone in the back: This refers to an act of betrayal, often done to gain power or advantage, similar to how a usurper might betray those in power.
To climb the ladder of success: While not directly about usurping, this idiom often implies a competitive struggle for power and position, where some might resort to underhanded tactics.
To elbow one's way to the top: This idiom suggests a ruthless and competitive approach to gaining power, which can sometimes involve usurping others' positions.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of usurp from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
