usurping
Taking power wrongfully
Usurping is seizing power, position, or rights without legitimate authority.
A usurping general takes control of the government by force.
The word implies illegitimacy—the usurper has no rightful claim to what they've taken: The prince accused his uncle of usurping the throne.
Extended uses cover any encroachment on another's domain: Technology is usurping traditional skills.
Assuming command of something
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
- grabSeize abruptly
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
- commandeeringSeizing by force or authority
supplanting · displacement · occupation · expropriation · encroachment · preemption · assumption · invasion
Illegitimate claimant to power
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- illegitimateNot authorized or recognized
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
false · counterfeit · self-appointed · unrightful · interloper · unelected · upstart · parvenu
Abrupt seizure of power
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- seditionInciting revolt against government
insurrection · rebellion · mutiny · cabal · regicide · scheming · clandestine · stratagem
takeover
Assuming command of something
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
- grabSeize abruptly
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
commandeering · supplanting · displacement · occupation · expropriation · encroachment · preemption · assumption · invasion · confiscation
pretender
Illegitimate claimant to power
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- illegitimateNot authorized or recognized
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
unauthorized · false · counterfeit · self-appointed · unrightful · interloper · unelected · upstart · parvenu · arriviste
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
sedition · insurrection · rebellion · mutiny · cabal · regicide · scheming · clandestine · stratagem · faction
ascendancy
Dominant power or influence
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
authority · control · reign · rule · dominion · command · preeminence · primacy · mastery · governance
- acquiringobtaining, getting, grabbing, seizing, taking
- takeovertakeover, take over, seize power, seizure, coup d'etat
- taking chargeleading, commanding, directing, managing, captaining
- parasitismbloodsucking, leeching, exploiting, nest parasitism, infecting
- rebellionrevolt, rebel, mutiny, insurgency, insurrection
- Replacement termsreplacing, supplanting, displacing, swap, switch
usurpingrelinquishing
Voluntarily giving up possession
surrendering · abdicating · ceding · yielding · renouncing
usurpingdeferring
Postponing or yielding respectfully
submitting · acquiescing · accepting · conceding · acknowledging