usurpation
Illegitimate power grab
Usurpation is the act of seizing power, position, or rights without legal authority.
A military coup is usurpation of government; taking credit for someone else's work is usurpation of recognition.
The word implies illegitimacy—the usurper has no rightful claim to what they've taken: The general's usurpation of the presidency sparked international condemnation.
Abrupt seizure of power
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
- commandeeringSeizing by force or authority
expropriation · dispossession · confiscation · arrogation · preemption · supplanting · encroachment · grab
Violent government seizure
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
- mutinyRevolt against authority
uprising · revolt · dethronement · deposition · toppling · unseating · regime change · putsch
Forbidden by statute
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- illegalForbidden by statute
- illegitimateNot authorized or recognized
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
improper · unjust · unconstitutional · invalid · wrongful · unrightful · pretender · false claim
One asserting entitlement
- pretenderIllegitimate claimant to power
- heirOne who receives legacy
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- crown princeMale successor to throne
rightful heir · line of succession · interregnum · regent · inheritance · birthright · primogeniture · accession
Ceremonial chair for sovereigns
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- dominionAuthority to rule
- reignSovereign's time in power
rule · authority · control · hegemony · supremacy · command · ascendancy · scepter
Absolute one-person rule
- autocracyRule by one
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
absolutism · totalitarianism · authoritarianism · subjugation · domination · iron fist · strongman · repression
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
commandeering · expropriation · dispossession · confiscation · arrogation · preemption · supplanting · encroachment · grab · capture
coup d'état
Violent government seizure
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
mutiny · uprising · revolt · dethronement · deposition · toppling · unseating · regime change · putsch · ouster
unlawful
Forbidden by statute
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- illegalForbidden by statute
- illegitimateNot authorized or recognized
fraudulent · improper · unjust · unconstitutional · invalid · wrongful · unrightful · pretender · false claim · impostor
claimant
One asserting entitlement
crown prince · rightful heir · line of succession · interregnum · regent · inheritance · birthright · primogeniture · accession · coronation
throne
Ceremonial chair for sovereigns
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- dominionAuthority to rule
reign · rule · authority · control · hegemony · supremacy · command · ascendancy · scepter · regency
despotism
Absolute one-person rule
- autocracyRule by one
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
tyranny · absolutism · totalitarianism · authoritarianism · subjugation · domination · iron fist · strongman · repression
- monarchyking, queen, prince, princess, crown
- power strugglesdominance, supremacy, takeover, overthrow, control
- takeovertakeover, take over, seize power, seizure, coup d'etat
- coupscoup d'etat, overthrow, coup attempt, soft coup, failed coup
- political crimestreason, sedition, insurrection, coup d'etat, political corruption
- political turmoilpolitical instability, power vacuum, coup d'etat, military coup, uprising
usurpationcoronation
Ceremony installing a sovereign
enthronement · authorization · sanction · rightful claim · hereditary succession
usurpationabdication
Formal surrender of power
relinquishment · release · cession · renunciation · stepping down