Crossword Genius

USP used around ancient city as appropriate (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usurp

'appropriate' is the definition.
(usurp can mean to take or appropriate from someone)

'usp used around ancient city' is the wordplay.
'used around' is an insertion indicator.
'ancient city' becomes 'ur' (ancient Sumerian city state).
'usp' going around 'ur' is 'USURP'.

'as' is the link.

(Other definitions for usurp that I've seen before include "Seize power without authority" , "Appropriate without authority" , "Supplant (someone in power)" , "Take over - misappropriate" , "Wrongfully assume" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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