What does arrogate mean?
To arrogate is to claim or seize something—typically power, authority, or a right—to which one has no legitimate entitlement. The verb is formal in register and carries a strongly negative connotation: it implies presumption, overreach, or usurpation rather than honest assumption of responsibility. In practice it nearly always appears in the reflexive construction 'arrogate to oneself' or 'arrogate to itself,' as when a ruler arrogates powers belonging to parliament, or a committee arrogates to itself decisions reserved for the full membership. Derived from Latin arrogare, formed from ad ('to') and rogare ('to ask' or 'propose'), the word entered English in the early sixteenth century and shares its root with such terms as interrogate, abrogate, and prerogative. Its noun form, arrogation, denotes the act of unjustified claiming, while its adjective cousin, arrogant, preserves the same sense of presumptuous self-importance. Arrogate remains useful precisely because it names a specific kind of illegitimate taking—one done boldly and without mandate.
verbTo take or claim something (such as power, authority, or a right) for oneself without justification or without having the right to do so.
- To claim or take something, especially power, authority, or a right, for oneself without justification or entitlement (usually with 'to oneself').
"The committee had no mandate and simply arrogated to itself the power to rewrite the rules."
"The governor was accused of arrogating powers that belonged to the legislature."
"She had a habit of arrogating to herself decisions that should have been made collectively."
When someone 'arrogates' power, they're literally claiming it by asking themselves — the word comes from Latin rogare, 'to ask,' as if usurpers politely request authority they were never offered.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arrogate
Arrogate derives from the Latin verb arrogare, meaning 'to claim or ask for oneself,' formed from ad ('to') plus rogare ('to ask, propose, or request'). It entered English in the early sixteenth century, initially also used in legal contexts concerning the adoption of persons sui juris. Its Latin root rogare also produced cognates such as interrogate, abrogate, prerogative, and surrogate, all of which preserve some notion of asking, proposing, or official questioning.
Related word forms
How arrogate is actually used
Formal and somewhat literary in register; almost always used disapprovingly, implying overreach or presumption. Nearly always appears in the reflexive construction 'arrogate to oneself/itself' rather than with an ordinary direct object.
Easily confused with arrogate
Abrogate means to abolish or repeal a law or agreement, while arrogate means to claim something for oneself without right.