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Usurp was borrowed into English in the 14th century from the Anglo-French word usorper, which in turn derives from the Latin verb usurpare, meaning "to take possession of without a legal claim." Usurpare itself was formed by combining usu (a form of usus, meaning "use") and rapere ("to seize"). Other descendants of rapere in English include rapacious ("given to seizing or extorting what is coveted"), rapine ("the seizing and carrying away of things by force"), rapt (the earliest sense of which is "lifted up and carried away"), and ravish (one meaning of which is "to seize and take away by violence").
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Examples of usurp in a Sentence
Hogan Gore, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Filmmaker, Denis Villeneuve leans into the costs of love and destiny — Zendaya’s epoch-making role of Chani carries the weight of her people, usurping Imperium forces, and intergalactic warfare.
—Essence, 28 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for usurp 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'usurp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French usorper, from Latin usurpare to take possession of without legal claim, from usu (ablative of usus use) + rapere to seize — more at rapid
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
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Cite this Entry
“Usurp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/usurp. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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usurp
verbLatin usurpare to take possession of without a strict legal claim, from usus use + rapere to seize
More from Merriam-Webster on usurp
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