oust

verb

\ ˈau̇st

ousted; ousting; ousts

Definition of oust

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

The Latest from Wimbledon (all times local): 9:10 p.m. Maria Sharapova lost in the first round at Wimbledon after fellow Russian Vitalia Diatchenko came from a set and a break down to oust the former champion. — Houston Chronicle, "Maria Sharapova falls in first round at Wimbledon," 3 July 2018 This new trailer sets the scene and the tone (sharp and hilarious, of course) as Thompson's character, Katherine Newbury, is in danger of being ousted from her long-running late-night talk show. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "Watch the First Hilarious Trailer for Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson’s Late Night," 7 Mar. 2019 A month later, Sumner and Shari attempt to have both men removed from the Viacom board with an eye toward ousting Dauman as chairman of the company. — Kate Stanhope, latimes.com, "Timeline: The Redstones' many battles for Viacom ... and now CBS," 22 May 2018 After engineering a coup in 2014 to oust then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha promised elections as early as the following year. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Thailand’s Dictator-Democrats," 21 Mar. 2019 Vesely is the only player at Wimbledon to have defeated two top-20 players in the first week, ousting No. — Ben Rothenberg, New York Times, "At Wimbledon, Surprise Guests Arrive for Manic Monday," 9 July 2018 In the 2016 school board race, three new members were elected, ousting incumbents who sought re-election. — Jess Nocera, Howard County Times, "Voters to narrow a wide field for Howard school board," 25 June 2018 Armenia has now joined a string of other nations from South Korea to Burkina Faso where anti-corruption protests have ousted one leader and led to a new one promising clean governance. — The Christian Science Monitor, "What happens after an anti-corruption victory," 8 May 2018 On Monday, May assumed a similar stance, promising to challenge any attempt to oust her as prime minister, essentially girding for what’s being called the fight of her political life. — Claire Zillman, Fortune, "Theresa May Brexit, Serena Williams Mom Guilt, Ivanka Trump Tariffs: Broadsheet July 10th," 10 July 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.