usurp
Meaning: To seize and hold power, position, or authority illegally or by force, without rightful claim or proper authority.
Usurp implies illegitimacy — the person who usurps has no rightful claim to what they take. It collocates strongly with power, throne, authority, and role. In modern usage it extends beyond political power to describe any situation where someone takes over a position or function that properly belongs to someone else.
Examples
- The general usurped power in a bloodless coup and immediately suspended the constitution. 将军在一场不流血的政变中篡夺了权力,并立即中止了宪法。El general usurpó el poder en un golpe de Estado incruento y suspendió la constitución de inmediato.その将軍は無血クーデターで権力を奪取し、直ちに憲法を停止した。그 장군은 무혈 쿠데타로 권력을 찬탈하고 즉시 헌법을 정지시켰다.
- Critics warned that the new executive powers would usurp the role of the judiciary in matters of national security. 批评者警告说,新的行政权力将在国家安全事务上僭越司法机构的职能。Los críticos advirtieron de que los nuevos poderes ejecutivos usurparían la función del poder judicial en asuntos de seguridad nacional.批評家たちは、新たな行政権限が国家安全保障に関する司法の役割を侵害すると警告した。비판론자들은 새로운 행정 권한이 국가 안보 문제에서 사법부의 역할을 침해할 것이라고 경고했다.
- Social media platforms have gradually usurped the traditional function of newspapers as gatekeepers of public information. 社交媒体平台已逐渐篡夺了报纸作为公共信息把关者的传统功能。Las plataformas de redes sociales han usurpado gradualmente la función tradicional de los periódicos como guardianes de la información pública.ソーシャルメディアのプラットフォームは、公共情報のゲートキーパーとしての新聞の伝統的な機能を徐々に奪ってきた。소셜 미디어 플랫폼은 공공 정보의 문지기 역할을 하던 신문의 전통적 기능을 점차 빼앗아 왔다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: politics, journalism, history
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin usurpare (to seize for use, take possession of), possibly from usus (use) + rapere (to seize). Entered English in the 14th century via Old French usurper.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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