Usurp means to take power or control from someone without permission. It usually happens when someone takes a position or right that does not belong to them.
The general tried to usurp the king's throne.
She usurped the manager's role at work.
To usurp can also mean to take or use someone's ideas or rights without asking. This means taking something that belongs to another person in a wrong way.
He was warned not to usurp others’ ideas.
The artist accused him of usurping her work.
Usurp can mean taking a position, title, or honor that you do not have the right to hold. It often means doing this in a dishonest or unfair way.
He usurped the title of team captain unfairly.
She usurped the honor that was not hers.
In technology, usurp means to take control of a computer, system, or account without permission. This is often done by hackers or bad software.
Hackers usurped the website's admin account.
The virus tried to usurp control of the computer.
Usurp can mean to take someone’s job or position without the right to do so. This often means taking a place that belongs to another person.
The deputy usurped the leader's position briefly.
She usurped her friend's role in the play.
Usurp can also mean to take control over a government or country, often by force and without legal permission. This is common in talks about coups or revolutions.
The army attempted to usurp the government last night.
He usurped the country’s leadership illegally.
