usurpare
to usurp
verb oo-zoor-PAH-reh Rare
Origin: Latin 'usurpare' (to seize for use).
Also means
to seize unlawfully
Usage Note
Usurpare takes avere as its auxiliary. It is used in formal and historical contexts for illegitimate seizure of power, a title, or territory (usurpare il trono = to usurp the throne). The agent noun is usurpatore (m) / usurpatrice (f).
Examples
"Il generale tentò di usurpare il potere."
Natural Translation
The general tried to usurp power.

Free starter pack
Building your Italian vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Italian by topic