Definition of oustnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb oust contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oust are eject, evict, and expel. While all these words mean "to drive or force out," oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

When would eject be a good substitute for oust?

The words eject and oust can be used in similar contexts, but eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

In what contexts can evict take the place of oust?

The synonyms evict and oust are sometimes interchangeable, but evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

When might expel be a better fit than oust?

While the synonyms expel and oust are close in meaning, expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oust Assad was ousted from power when gunmen opposed to him marched to Damascus in December 2024, ending the five-decade rule of the Assad family. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 Previous administrations were ousted when spending disagreements came to a head – and Lecornu himself resigned less than a month into his tenure over budget divisions, only to be reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron days later. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 Continue reading … FAITH ON TRIAL — Christian woman claims school ousted her over honest answer to a student's question. — FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted George in April, as the Iran war was underway. — James Laporta, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oust
Verb
  • Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle onto the road, according to the crash log.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Then, safety Zechariah Poyser was ejected for targeting on FSU quarterback Ashton Daniels.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • How far might a nation go that had no kings to depose, no entrenched hierarchies to uproot, a country so young and iconoclastic and resource-rich?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, back at the family mansion, her brother and sister scheme to depose their father.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In Spain, housing protests began in September after an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, was evicted following a 230% rent increase by an investment fund.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The land the tribe inhabited before being evicted is now divided among ranchers, government agencies and a conservation nonprofit.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Group chats pulled from Nolan Wells' cellphone show what his friends said before and after the Mississippi teen vanished in early July following a boat outing with friends.
    — Skyler Henry, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bunnie Xo’s post-divorce fun is raising eyebrows after a cozy Waffle House outing with 24-year-old reality star Dylan Wolf sent fans into a frenzy over their age gap.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Then, SpaceX’s June offering toppled that statistic, raising more than $85 billion (registration required), including the greenshoe, underscoring the scale of investor demand.
    — Jeff Jacobs, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The 2024 trophy was held by Freddie Freeman, whose grand slam toppled the New York Yankees.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Russian nighttime barrage hit 28 substations and other critical energy facilities, depriving more than a half-million people of electricity, heat and running water, Zelenskyy said on social media.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Disqualifying both lists would have deprived the vast majority of Palestinian voters of their preferred political representation.
    — Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • To help banish the endless procrastination, National Geographic’s 2027 list of 25 must-visit destinations for the year ahead is one of its most timely and experience-driven recommendations yet.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The Industry actress was banished from Season 2 of The Celebrity Traitors last week and has reflected on her experience on the Studio Lambert series in an Instagram post.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Adam Hamilton, the Democrat seeking to unseat Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican, is a political newcomer.
    — Ruth Graham, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Such a retreat could then embolden Modi’s rivals and encourage further protests—and raise the prospect that a galvanized opposition might finally unseat the prime minister in the next parliamentary elections scheduled for 2029.
    — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oust. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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