evict

verb

i-ˈvikt 

evicted; evicting; evicts

transitive verb

1

a

: to recover (property) from a person by legal process

b

: to put (a tenant) out by legal process

2

: to force out : expel

eviction

i-ˈvik-shən 

noun

evictor

i-ˈvik-tər 

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for evict

eject, expel, oust, evict mean to drive or force out.

eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

Examples of evict in a Sentence

His landlord has threatened to evict him if he doesn't pay the rent soon.

They were evicted from their apartment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ferguson lived with Andrew at Royal Lodge up until 2025, when they were both evicted, and was reportedly close to a number of royals, including the late Queen Elizabeth. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Mar. 2026

Suzanne and her husband had been living in a Queens shelter for two months after being evicted from their apartment. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026

Last week, the Minneapolis City Council passed a measure requiring landlords to wait 60 days to evict someone instead of 30. —Jason Rantala, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

Mickey Rourke has been evicted from his Los Angeles home after failing to pay nearly $60,000 in back rent. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin evictus, past participle of evincere, from Latin, to vanquish, win a point — more at evince

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for evict

• addict
• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• handpicked
• inflict
• predict
• relict
• restrict
• bricked
• clicked

Kids Definition

evict

verb

i-ˈvikt 

: to put (a person) out from property by legal action

eviction

-ˈvik-shən 

noun

evictor

-ˈvik-tər 

noun

Legal Definition

evict

transitive verb

i-ˈvikt 

: to put (a tenant) out of property by force, by virtue of a paramount title, or especially by legal process

Etymology

Medieval Latin evictus, past participle of evincere to recover (property) by legal process, from Latin, to vanquish, regain possession of