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

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 With Hart ousted, and only a handful of celebrities left who seem up for the challenge, the cast of Saturday Night Live decided to host their own style of auditions for the gig. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "SNL Joins the Search for a New Oscars Host," 16 Dec. 2018 Louisville, coming off the scandals and FBI investigations that rocked the program, ousted longtime coach Rick Pitino and vacated its 2013 national championship, finished last season 20-13 and fell short of the NCAA tournament. — Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State basketball visits Louisville in ACC/Big Ten Challenge," 1 June 2018 Much of Foxconn’s journey to Wisconsin played out on the national stage, with President Trump and ousted Gov. Scott Walker touting the deal while critics attacked it as an example of extravagant corporate welfare. — Josh Dzieza, The Verge, "An interview with Reply All’s Sruthi Pinnamaneni," 6 Dec. 2018 Kovesi was 16 years old when former President Nicolae Ceausescu was ousted and shot dead by firing squad in 1989. — Andrea Dudik, Bloomberg.com, "A Showdown Looms in Europe’s Most Corrupt Region," 7 May 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.