Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [yoo-surp, -zurp]
- /yuˈsɜrp, -ˈzɜrp/
- /juːˈzɜːp/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [yoo-surp, -zurp]
- /yuˈsɜrp, -ˈzɜrp/
Definitions of usurp word
- verb with object usurp to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right: The pretender tried to usurp the throne. 1
- verb with object usurp to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully: The magazine usurped copyrighted material. 1
- verb without object usurp to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach. 1
- transitive verb usurp take over, take possession of 1
- verb usurp If you say that someone usurps a job, role, title, or position, they take it from someone when they have no right to do this. 0
- verb usurp to seize, take over, or appropriate (land, a throne, etc) without authority 0
Information block about the term
Origin of usurp
First appearance:
before 1275 One of the 13% oldest English words
1275-1325; Middle English < Latin ūsūrpāre to take possession through use, equivalent to ūsū (ablative of ūsus use (noun)) + -rp-, reduced form of -rip-, combining form of rapere to seize + -āre infinitive ending
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Usurp
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
usurp popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 86% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
usurp usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for usurp
verb usurp
- accroach — to assume to oneself without right or authority; usurp.
- arrogate — If someone arrogates to themselves something such as a responsibility or privilege, they claim or take it even though they have no right to do so.
- assume — If you assume that something is true, you imagine that it is true, sometimes wrongly.
- borrow — If you borrow something that belongs to someone else, you take it or use it for a period of time, usually with their permission.
- carry off — If you carry something off, you do it successfully.
Antonyms for usurp
verb usurp
- abdicate — If a king or queen abdicates, he or she gives up being king or queen.
- give up — the quality or state of being resilient; springiness.
- leave holding the bag — a container or receptacle of leather, plastic, cloth, paper, etc., capable of being closed at the mouth; pouch.
Top questions with usurp
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