usurpations
Illegal authority takeovers
Usurpations are acts of seizing power, position, or rights without legal authority.
The word appears most often in political and historical contexts—coups, throne-seizures, constitutional violations: The Declaration of Independence catalogs the king's usurpations.
Any illegitimate taking of what belongs to another can be called a usurpation: the usurpation of parental authority by the state.
Abrupt seizure of power
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
- expropriationGovernment taking private property
- confiscationSeizure by authority
annexation · commandeering · arrogation · grab · capture · occupation · dispossession · requisition
Abrupt seizure of power
- dethronementRemoval from sovereign power
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- ousterForced removal from position
- topplingCausing to collapse
unseating · rebellion · insurrection · revolt · mutiny · revolution · putsch · subversion
Gradual intrusion on territory
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- violationBreaking of rules
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- overreachExceed one's capacity
overstepping · transgression · invasion · impingement · breach · interference · incursion · infraction
Forbidden by statute
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- illegitimateNot authorized or recognized
- unconstitutionalViolating fundamental law
- wrongfulWithout legal right
illicit · unwarranted · improper · invalid · pretender · impostor · fraudulent · spurious
Absolute one-person rule
- autocracyRule by one
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
authoritarianism · absolutism · repression · subjugation · domination · strongman · despot · tyrant
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
- expropriationGovernment taking private property
confiscation · annexation · commandeering · arrogation · grab · capture · occupation · dispossession · requisition · impoundment
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- dethronementRemoval from sovereign power
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- ousterForced removal from position
toppling · unseating · rebellion · insurrection · revolt · mutiny · revolution · putsch · subversion · dethroning
encroachment
Gradual intrusion on territory
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- violationBreaking of rules
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
overreach · overstepping · transgression · invasion · impingement · breach · interference · incursion · infraction
unlawful
Forbidden by statute
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- illegitimateNot authorized or recognized
- unconstitutionalViolating fundamental law
wrongful · illicit · unwarranted · improper · invalid · pretender · impostor · fraudulent · spurious · self-appointed
despotism
Absolute one-person rule
- autocracyRule by one
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
totalitarianism · authoritarianism · absolutism · repression · subjugation · domination · strongman · despot · tyrant · overlordship
usurpationshereditary succession
Passing titles through lineage
democratic elections · coronations · investitures · inaugurations · appointments
usurpationsabdications
Formal power surrenders
renunciations · relinquishments · resignations · cessions · stepping down