What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
usurped
Example
The military junta usurped power from the democratically elected government. [usurped: verb]
Example
The new CEO usurped the position from the previous CEO through a hostile takeover. [usurped: past participle]
annex
Example
The city council voted to annex the neighboring town into its jurisdiction. [annex: verb]
Example
Germany annexed Austria in 1938, leading up to World War II. [annexed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Annex is more commonly used than usurp in everyday language. Annex is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while usurp is less common and typically used in the context of power or authority.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between usurped and annex?
Both usurp and annex are formal words that are typically used in serious or official contexts, such as politics, law, or history.
