Assume in pretence (5)
I believe the answer is:
usurp
'assume' is the definition.
(I know that assume can be written as usurp)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for usurp that I've seen before include "Wrongfully assume" , "Expropriate" , "Take over occupation" , "Dethrone" , "Seize wrongfully" .)