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

Four in 10 renters in Tarrant County were evicted between January 2021 and November 2024, which is almost five times the national average. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2025

There’s the Andrew scandal, which saw the monarch have to make the decision to strip his brother of his titles and evict him from his home, Royal Lodge. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Nov. 2025

Oliver eliminates one pole-climbing threat by plopping a hat on his head, leading to a big fall — then takes this as an opportunity to evict his squatter. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025

Liz Perlman, the executive director of AFSCME Local 3299, said many union members are sleeping in their cars, on SNAP benefits and are one paycheck away from being evicted. —MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025

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