usurpation

[ yoo-ser-pey-shuhn, -zer- ]

noun

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

Other Words From

• u·sur·pa·tive [yoo-, sur, -p, uh, -tiv, ‑-, zur, ‑], u·sur·pa·to·ry [yoo-, sur, -p, uh, -tawr-ee, ‑-tohr-ee, ‑-, zur, ‑], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of usurpation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ūsūrpātiōn-, stem of ūsūrpātiō “a seizing for use,” equivalent to ūsūrpāt(us) “seized for use” (past participle of ūsūrpāre; usurp ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Opposition candidate González fled to Spain on Saturday after being accused of "serious crimes" including the "usurpation" of public duties, document falsification, instigation of disobedience and system sabotage.

From BBC

He is accused of "serious crimes" including the "usurpation" of public duties, document falsification, instigation of disobedience and system sabotage, according to the public prosecutor.

From BBC

Among the crimes prosecutors plan to pursue against Arévalo and others in the new case are aggravated usurpation, sedition and illegal association.

From Washington Times

“The day that enemies usurp part of Muslim land, jihad becomes the individual duty of every Muslim. In face of the Jews’ usurpation of Palestine, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised.”

From Washington Times

"We can no longer tolerate injustice, tyranny and usurpation of power in Sierra Leone. This is what dictatorship looks like," it said.

From Reuters

Related Words

• annexation
• confiscation