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

Gay and transgender Ugandans have also been evicted from their homes and beaten up by family members — forcing many to flee to neighboring countries like Kenya. —Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024

Party-throwing squatters evicted from mansion near LeBron James’ Beverly Hills home News Analysis: The Supreme Court has right and far-right wings. —Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

This ultra-obvious Democratic farce was intended to misuse a constitutional clause saying that those who were evicted could also be prohibited from running again and that assumed congressional literacy. —Jay Ambrose, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024

Residents of Chavez Ravine were evicted and homes were demolished in 1959 to make way for the new stadium. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 26 Mar. 2024

After Ecuadorian authorities evicted him from their embassy in 2019, he was arrested by British police for breaching the terms of his bail. —Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024

Once feeling better, Jude was quickly adopted but unfortunately returned recently due to his family being evicted from their home. —The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024

Gomberg fears that migrants who are evicted from city shelters will end up on the streets. —Karin Brulliard, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024

California Efforts brewing at UC Riverside and UCLA to evict Starbucks from campuses for ‘union busting’ activities Jan. 31, 2024 The plaintiffs are frequent customers of Starbucks, according to Gibson. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024

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

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