oust

verb

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\ ˈau̇st

ousted; ousting; ousts

Definition of oust

transitive verb

1a : 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

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about oust

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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. 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 oust in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Behind the scenes, McCarthy and his allies are whipping votes to oust Cheney and replace her with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), a centrist-turned-staunch Trump ally, according to Politico. — Andrew Solender, Forbes, "GOP Governor Accuses House Republicans Of ‘Cancel Culture’ Over Liz Cheney," 4 May 2021 To oust Miller-Meeks and install Hart, the entire House of Representatives must vote in Hart’s favor in the matter. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The Obscure House Election That’s Put Democrats in a Bitter, No-Win Situation," 22 Mar. 2021 Conservatives mustered 61 votes to oust her as conference chair and Trump vowed to help unseat her in next year’s Wyoming primary. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, "Since Jan. 6 riot, Cruz has spent more campaign cash on private security than almost any in Congress," 22 Apr. 2021 Louis DeJoy became postmaster general in 2020 after being selected by the Postal Service’s Board of Governors, which maintains authority to oust him. — Jeff Barker, baltimoresun.com, "Trump holdover who heads Maryland-based Social Security Administration is under fire from congressional Democrats," 16 Apr. 2021 While in office, Boehner found himself at odds with the new breed of Republicans, who frequently tried to oust him as speaker. — Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, "Boehner blames Trump, regrets impeaching Clinton and other things we learned from his memoirs," 9 Apr. 2021 Netanyahu denies all charges and says prosecutors are trying to undermine the voters intent and oust him from office. — NBC News, "Israeli president picks Netanyahu to try and form government," 6 Apr. 2021 Anti-gun-control voters, though a minority in California, are intense and turned out in large numbers trying to oust her. — George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, "Column: If Democrats really want gun control, Sen. Dianne Feinstein needs to stay in office," 29 Mar. 2021 Lauf, who touted her experience in the Trump administration as preparation for her 2022 run, is also seeking to oust one of the House Republicans who voted to impeach the former president, Trump antagonist Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. — Will Steakin, ABC News, "Trump looks to boost former administration officials in 2022 midterms," 25 Mar. 2021

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.