usurpieren
Translation
to usurp, to seize unlawfully
Examples
Er versuchte, den Thron zu usurpieren.
He tried to usurp the throne.
Sie hat die Macht im Unternehmen usurpiert.
She usurped the power in the company.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) usurpieren to usurp (sth.) The general tried to usurp power.
Similar Words
an sich reißen (to seize), die Macht ergreifen (to seize power)
Etymology
From Latin 'usurpare' (to seize for use). It is a direct cognate of the English word 'usurp'.
Memory Tips
It sounds almost identical to the English 'usurp', making it easy to remember its meaning of seizing power illegally.