usurp

Meanings

• Verb

  Seize and hold (a position of power or authority) unlawfully or by force.

  - "The usurper claimed the throne after the rightful king was assassinated."
  - "The general usurped control of the army during the civil unrest."

• Verb

  Gain control of (a country, organization, or other entity) illegally or unconstitutionally.

  - "The military junta usurped power in a coup d'état."
  - "The new CEO usurped the position from her predecessor in a corporate takeover."

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Pronunciation

1. /juˈsɝp/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49896869"

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with usurp
surpass , transgress , access , impress , express

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Variants

List of all variants of usurp that leads to same result
usurp , usurpation , usurpations , usurped , usurping , usurps

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Forms

Different forms of the word (e.g., verb conjugations, plural forms, comparative/superlative forms for adjectives).

usurped, usurping

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Old French usurper, from usurper 'to use up, consume, waste', from Latin usus 'use'. The meaning 'to seize and hold unlawfully' developed in Middle English.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'usurper' is often used to describe someone who seizes power illegally or unconstitutionally.

2. The longest recorded usurpation in history was the 66-year reign of Pharaoh Psammetichus I of Egypt, who seized the throne when he was just a baby.

3. The term 'usurp' is derived from the Latin word 'usus', which means 'use'. The meaning 'to seize and hold unlawfully' developed in Middle English.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Coup d'état: A sudden, violent seizure of power from a government or ruler.

2. Revolution: A fundamental change in power or organizational structures, often resulting from a widespread and violent upheaval.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Usurp has been used extensively in literature and history, often to describe political power struggles and the consequences of seizing power unlawfully. In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', Macbeth usurps the throne of Scotland, leading to his downfall.

How to Memorize "usurp"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize the act of taking something that isn't yours by force or deception. Imagine a person grabbing a crown or a scepter from someone else's hands.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'usurp' with 'power struggle' or 'unlawful seizure'. Think about the consequences of taking something that doesn't belong to you.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic like 'Usurp: Unlawful Seizure Using Raw Power'.

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