usurped

[yoo-surpt, -zurpt] / yuˈsɜrpt, -ˈzɜrpt /

VERB

take over

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annex preempt supplant wrest

STRONG

appropriate arrogate assume commandeer displace grab highjack seize swipe take

WEAK

accroach barge in butt in clap hands on cut out elbow in get hands on grab hold of infringe upon lay hold of muscle in squeeze in work in worm in

Antonyms

STRONG

give keep leave let go offer refuse reject release

WEAK

give in relinquish surrender

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ultimately, society’s ingrained fear of missing out on making money will be usurped by the fear of losing money.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

The pre-Virgilian sources suggest that Dido’s brother, Pygmalion, killed her husband and usurped the throne.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Political cartooning is a dying art, usurped by illustrations that trade intelligent ribbing for low-brow button pushing — or, equally as startling, memes that require minimal effort to make.

From Salon • Sep. 5, 2025

The first of Shakespeare's history plays, Richard II sees the unlikeable and corrupt king be usurped by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke who goes on to become Henry IV.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025

But by halfway through the fifth century BC—again, not long before Gorgias arrived—its judicial function had mostly been usurped by the Heliaea,** which was open to absolutely anyone.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith