oust

verb \ ˈau̇st \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of oust

transitive verb

1 a : to remove from or dispossess of property or position by legal action, by force, or by the compulsion of necessity

The rebels ousted the dictator from power.

b : to take away (something, such as a right or authority) : bar, remove

The states do not like attempts by Congress to oust their jurisdiction.

2 : to take the place of : supplant

must be careful that quantity does not oust quality
—R. V. Williams

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Examples of oust in a Sentence

The rebels ousted the dictator from power.
Large national banks are ousting local banks in many communities.

Recent Examples of oust from the Web

On the final day of session, Franchot — a Democrat whose role in the school construction process was also diminished — joined a rally in front of the State House calling to oust Miller from his leadership role.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "Gun control, Obamacare fix and tax relief mark an unusually bipartisan session in Annapolis," 10 Apr. 2018
Her next move may be to oust CBS board members loyal to Mr. Moonves.

— elizabeth winkler, WSJ, "CBS-Viacom Fight Is Fixed," 5 Apr. 2018
Three Republicans in West Virginia battle to oust vulnerable Democratic senator.

— Fox News, "FOX NEWS FIRST: Trump mulls sending National Guard to U.S.-Mexico border; Suspected shooter had feud with YouTube," 4 Apr. 2018
Bin Salman said Assad is not likely to be ousted from power.

— w.j. hennigan, Time, "Saudi Crown Prince Says U.S. Troops Should Stay in Syria," 30 Mar. 2018
O'Rourke is trying to oust U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in November.

— jeremy wallace, Houston Chronicle, "Is Beto O'Rourke a potential presidential candidate?," 28 Mar. 2018
Trump plans to oust the current secretary, David Shulkin, the AP reported.

— mary kilpatrick, cleveland.com, "Toby Cosgrove again on the list of possible candidates for Veterans Affairs secretary, the Associated Press says," 26 Mar. 2018
Is Trump preparing to oust General H.R. McMaster as national security adviser?

— Bloomberg, "Kevin Cirilli on Trump and McMaster," 16 Mar. 2018
Bardua accuses the high-ranking police officials, who are white, of trying to oust Isaac, who is African-American.

— sharon coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Timeline: Five days of drama for city manager, Cincinnati Police Department," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oust.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of oust

Middle English, from Anglo-French oster, ouster to take off, remove, oust, from Late Latin obstare to ward off, from Latin, to stand in the way, from ob- in the way + stare to stand — more at ob-, stand

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First Known Use: 15th century

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oust Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of oust

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.