arrogate

/ˌɛrəˈgeɪt/

Other forms: arrogated; arrogating; arrogates

To arrogate is to take over. When the teacher steps out of the classroom and some bossy student marches up to the front of the class and begins scolding the other kids? The student is trying to arrogate the teacher's authority.

When someone takes control of something, often without permission, such as when a military general assumes the power of a country's government after getting rid of the previous leader, they arrogate power or control to themselves. Occasionally the verb arrogate means something like "assert one's right to," or take something that is deserved, but more often it implies a taking by force.

Definitions of arrogate

1. verb

   seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
   synonyms: assume, seize, take over, usurp

   types:

   annex

   take (territory) as if by conquest

   appropriate, capture, conquer, seize

   take possession of by force, as after an invasion

   preoccupy

   occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance

   hijack

   seize control of

   raid

   take over (a company) by buying a controlling interest of its stock

   carry

   capture after a fight

   colonise, colonize

   settle as a colony; of countries in the developing world

   type of:

   take

   take by force
2. verb

   demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to
   synonyms: claim, lay claim

   claim, take

   lay claim to; as of an idea

   types:

   pretend

   put forward a claim and assert right or possession of

   requisition

   demand and take for use or service, especially by military or public authority for public service

   assign

   make undue claims to having

   type of:

   bespeak, call for, quest, request

   express the need or desire for; ask for
3. verb

   make undue claims to having
   synonyms: assign

   type of:

   claim, lay claim

   demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to