usurp the throne; seize power illegally
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to usurp the throne; to seize power from a monarch
formalA historical and literary term describing the act of a subject unlawfully seizing the throne from a ruler.
Lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
，
quán权
chén臣
cuàn篡
wèi位
de的
shì事
jiàn件
lǚ屡
jiàn见
bù不
xiān鲜
。
In history, events of powerful ministers usurping the throne were not uncommon.
Tā他
mì密
móu谋
duō多
nián年
，
zuì最
zhōng终
fā发
dòng动
zhèng政
biàn变
，
cuàn篡
wèi位
chéng成
gōng功
。
After plotting for many years, he finally launched a coup and successfully usurped the throne.
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Nà那
wèi位
wáng王
zǐ子
bèi被
zhǐ指
kòng控
qǐ企
tú图
cuàn篡
wèi位
。
That prince was accused of attempting to usurp the throne.
Zhè这
gè个
chéng成
yǔ语
jiǎng讲
de的
jiù就
shì是
dà大
chén臣
cuàn篡
wèi位
de的
gù故
shi事
。
This idiom tells the story of a minister usurping the throne.
Tōng通
guò过
yīn阴
móu谋
cuàn篡
wèi位
dé得
lái来
de的
quán权
lì力
，
wǎng往
wǎng往
bù不
dé得
cháng长
jiǔ久
。
Power gained through conspiracy and usurpation often does not last long.