verbformalless common
to take someone’s position or power without having the right to do so
The general usurped control of the government.
Common phrases & grammar
usurp power · usurp authority
American English
How to pronounce usurp
verbC1
yooSERP
/ˌjuˈsɚp̚/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
to take someone’s position or power without having the right to do so
What to listen for
The main stress in “usurp” is on the second syllable: /juˈsɚp̚/.