usurped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "usurped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of taking power or control over something, often in an illegal or illegitimate manner. Example: "The dictator usurped the throne from the rightful king, leading to years of turmoil in the kingdom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Is Mustafa Akinci the best hope yet for a solution to the Cyprus problem? | George Kyris In recent years moderates like Akinci have increasingly complained about their cultural identity being usurped by ever-greater numbers of settlers dispatched from the shores of Anatolia.

The Guardian

Welcome to Free the Nipple Mark 2. Marijuana leaf ankle socks Usurped by Frida Kahlo print ones – as seen on members of TheeSatisfaction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Richards is City's longest-serving player, making 245 appearances since his debut in 2005, but has struggled for game time in recent seasons having been usurped at both right-back and centre-half.

The Guardian - Sport

They would call him a squatter in Downing Street, insisting he had usurped power.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We move our ship at a slower pace, avoiding the turbulence of the high seas," says Mr Al Maraj.Bahrain, which usurped Beirut as the region's financial hub in the 1980s, had been left trailing by Dubai.

The Economist

The Palestinians say that their national rights were usurped by an intruder; the Israelis that the Palestinians never accepted the Jewish right to self-determination.

The Economist

The row over Mr Green, which swiftly degenerated into a party wrangle, illustrates how far party loyalty has usurped some MPs' allegiance to Parliament itself.

The Economist

Within 40 years, after two costly world wars and economic mismanagement, it became a net debtor and the dollar usurped sterling's role.

The Economist

"Technology has usurped many of their previous roles, such as access to knowledge, and the social aspects".

The Economist

By sending teams of officials into the investment banks, the Fed has in effect usurped the Securities and Exchange Commission SECC) as their main regulator.

The Economist

Now Mr Johnson, who took office in May, appears to have usurped that power.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "usurped", ensure the context clearly indicates an illegitimate or forceful taking of power or position. Avoid using it when a legitimate transfer of authority has occurred.

Common error

A common mistake is using "usurped" when "replaced" or "succeeded" would be more appropriate. "Usurped" implies an unlawful or unethical seizure, while "replaced" simply indicates a change.

Linguistic Context

The word "usurped" functions as a verb in the past tense. It describes the action of illegally or forcefully taking someone else's power, position, or rights. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correct and usable in written English, providing examples of how it's used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usurped" is a verb in the past tense used to describe the act of illegally or forcefully taking power or a position from another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various writing contexts, particularly in news and media and encyclopedias. Its usage implies disapproval of the illegitimate takeover. For alternatives, you might consider "seized power", "overthrew", or "supplanted" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to reserve "usurped" for situations involving an unlawful or unethical seizure, distinguishing it from neutral replacements or successions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seized power

Focuses on the act of taking power forcefully, without necessarily implying illegitimacy.

overthrew

Implies the forcible removal of a government or leader from power.

supplanted

Highlights the act of replacing something or someone, often through strategic means.

appropriated

Emphasizes taking something for oneself, often without permission.

commandeered

Suggests taking control of resources or assets for a specific purpose, often temporarily.

confiscated

Implies the seizure of property by an authority, typically for legal reasons.

wrested control

Highlights the struggle involved in taking control from someone else.

arrogated

Stresses the presumption or entitlement in taking something, often a right or privilege.

preempted

Focuses on acting before someone else to gain an advantage or prevent an action.

assumed authority

Highlights the act of taking on authority, sometimes without proper authorization.

FAQs

How is "usurped" typically used in a sentence?

"Usurped" is commonly used to describe situations where power, authority, or a position is taken illegally or by force. For example, "The general "usurped" the throne after the king's death" indicates an unlawful seizure of power.

What can I say instead of "usurped" to avoid repetition?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives such as "seized power", "overthrew", or "supplanted" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "usurped" and "replaced"?

"Usurped" implies an illegal or forceful taking of power or position, while "replaced" simply means that something or someone has taken the place of another without the implication of illegitimacy. For example, "The new CEO "replaced" the former CEO" does not suggest any wrongdoing, whereas "The new CEO "usurped" the former CEO" implies an unethical or unlawful takeover.

Is it appropriate to use "usurped" in formal writing?

Yes, "usurped" is appropriate for formal writing when used correctly to describe an illegitimate or forceful seizure of power or position. However, ensure that the context warrants the use of such a strong term. In formal writing, alternatives like "assumed control" might sometimes be more appropriate if the nature of the takeover is less explicit.