usurp
Take power illegally
To usurp is to seize power, position, or rights without authority or legal claim.
A usurper takes what belongs to another, typically through force or cunning: The general usurped the throne.
The word extends beyond political power—anything that wrongfully displaces something else usurps it: Television usurped radio's place in American living rooms.
Claim without justification
- commandeerSeize for official purposes
- appropriateSuited to circumstance
- expropriateSeize for state use
- confiscateSeize by authority
annex · seize · takeover · grab · snatch · capture · wrest · dispossess
Abrupt seizure of power
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
cabal · collusion · treachery · subterfuge · manipulation · clandestine · scheming · stratagem
Sovereign's ornamental headpiece
- monarchHereditary supreme ruler
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- successionFollowing in order
pretender · regent · dynasty · heir · sovereignty · enthronement · abdicate · dethrone
Dominant group's control
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
authority · command · sovereignty · rule · dominion · preeminence · mastery · sway
Violate another's rights
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- overstepExceed proper limits
- intrudeEnter uninvited
- impingeTo encroach or affect
encroach · overreach · violate · invade · meddle · interfere · entrench · transgress
Unchecked single-ruler government
- autocracyRule by one
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- regimeSystem of governance
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
oppression · illegitimate · impostor · despot · strongman · junta · authoritarian · totalitarian
arrogate
Claim without justification
- commandeerSeize for official purposes
- appropriateSuited to circumstance
- expropriateSeize for state use
confiscate · annex · seize · takeover · grab · snatch · capture · wrest · dispossess · impound
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
intrigue · cabal · collusion · treachery · subterfuge · manipulation · clandestine · scheming · stratagem · undermine
crown
Sovereign's ornamental headpiece
- monarchHereditary supreme ruler
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
succession · pretender · regent · dynasty · heir · sovereignty · enthronement · abdicate · dethrone · depose
hegemony
Dominant group's control
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
control · authority · command · sovereignty · rule · dominion · preeminence · mastery · sway · power
infringe
Violate another's rights
impinge · encroach · overreach · violate · invade · meddle · interfere · entrench · transgress · breach
dictatorship
Unchecked single-ruler government
tyranny · oppression · illegitimate · impostor · despot · strongman · junta · authoritarian · totalitarian · repression
- takeovertakeover, take over, seize power, seizure, coup d'etat
- dominateovercome, surpass, subdue, prevail, conquer
- push asidesupplant, displace, oust, edge out, push out
- coupscoup d'etat, overthrow, coup attempt, soft coup, failed coup
- substitutessubstitute, subs, replacement, substitutes, stand-in
- intrusionsintrusion, intrude, intruder, intruding, barging in