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 The activist in an August letter pushed CSX to find a deal partner of its own and oust Hinrichs. Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025 Tanner then plans to take over the county government — ousting the Joneses from power — and changing the name of Loving County to Tanner County, according to a recent story in the Houston Chronicle. Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 But Murphy is popular in many neighborhoods and will be tough to oust. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 More than half of them expect Maduro to be ousted within the next six months, with 36% predicting his fall within three months. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oust
Verb
  • Reeve was ejected late in the fourth quarter of that Game 3 contest.
    Jill Martin, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
  • These plumes are known to eject their material thousands of miles from the moon’s surface.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But the arrest on Kelce’s property came two days after a judge overseeing the Lively-Baldoni case denied a request from Baldoni’s legal team for an extension to depose Swift, ABC News reported.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Taylor Swift will likely not be deposed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal battle.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ashley had the decision to evict either Vince or Morgan from the house.
    David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Ashley evicts Morgan Ashley evicts Morgan.
    Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The burger diner chain, on social media, outed itself as being behind a billboard in Nashville, Tennessee, calling for the ouster of Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
  • One day later, Hailey was seen with her husband Justin Bieber on a lowkey family outing with their 13-month-old son, Jack Blues.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If this most fundamental right is allowed to perish, then the rest of our rights and liberties will topple just like dominoes.
    Luciana Lopez, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
  • After a bunch of toppling, wacky noises and looks of despair, Morgan secures what feels like her 75th veto of the season.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Gaines argues since Title IX guarantees men and women equal opportunities to compete in athletics, permitting transgender female athletes to compete deprives other women athletes.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Igou faces five felony counts, including neglect of a dependent resulting in death and neglecting a dependent by depriving them of education.
    Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For Darnold, Thursday’s victory went some way to banishing demons from last season.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The best clarifying shampoo can completely transform a lackluster shower routine, deep cleansing hair, exfoliating the scalp, and banishing excess oils and product buildup that leave strands flat, dull, or frizz-prone.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rackauckas was unseated by Todd Spitzer, who ran on a campaign of reform.
    Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Landersman went on to unseat Busse as sheriff.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oust. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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