Meanings
To seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right.
کسی عہدے، منصب، طاقت وغیرہ کو طاقت یا قانونی حق کے بغیر چھین لینا اور پکڑنا۔
غاصب ہونا
ghaasib hona
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
- usurp power
- usurp authority
- attempt to usurp
Example Sentences
The dictator attempted to usurp the power of the elected government.
ڈکٹیٹر نے منتخب حکومت کی طاقت کو غصب کرنے کی کوشش کی۔
Dikṭeṭar ne muntakhib hakoomat ki taqat ko ghasb karne ki koshish ki.
She was accused of trying to usurp her brother's inheritance.
اس پر اپنے بھائی کی وراثت کو غصب کرنے کی کوشش کا الزام لگا۔
Us par apne bhai ki virasat ko ghasb karne ki koshish ka ilzam laga.
The rebel group sought to usurp control of the region.
بغاوتی گروپ نے اس علاقے پر کنٹرول حاصل کرنے کا ارادہ کیا۔
Baghawati group ne is ilaqe par control hasil karne ka irada kiya.
Easily Confused With
Word Family
See Also
💡 Memory Tip
Think of 'usurp' as 'you surf' over someone else's rights.
Imagine someone forcefully taking over a throne.
✍️ Urdu Poetry
خدا کے واسطے پردہ نہ کعبے سے اٹھ ظالم، کہیں ایسا نہ ہو کہ پھر تو بھی اک آئینہ ہوجائے۔
Khuda ke waste parda na Kaabe se utha zalim, kahin aisa na ho ke phir tu bhi ek aaina ho jaye.
For God's sake, do not lift the veil from the Kaaba, O oppressor, lest you also become a mirror.
— Allama Iqbal, Bang-e-Dra
* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.
🗣️ Urdu Proverb
بنے بنائے کو بگاڑنا۔
Bane banaye ko bigarna.
To ruin what has been built.
📖 Etymology
Origin: Latin "usurpare" — to seize for use
First known use: 14th century
The word 'usurp' comes from the Latin 'usurpare', which means to take possession of something without the right to do so. It has been used in English since the late 14th century.