Made a pretence a reality? (7)

I believe the answer is:

usurped

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'made a pretence' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with ownership as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for usurped that I've seen before include "Took power or position wrongfully" , "Took power by force" , "Seized power illegally" , "Seized and took control" , "Took power illegally" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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