oust

verb

ˈau̇st 

ousted; ousting; ousts

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.

The team was ousted from the tournament in the first round.

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 of oust

• eject
• out
• banish
• dismiss
• chase
• expel
• evict

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

Two years ago, his inspiration came from the Dallas Mavericks, the team that ousted his Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024 Western Conference Finals. —Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Mac McCorkle, a veteran campaign strategist and professor at Duke University, said voters in such heavily Democratic districts are more likely to feel safe ousting an incumbent in a primary. —Mary Ramsey updated March 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026

Dallas is also searching for a permanent inspector general after ousting Timothy Menke last August, less than three months after his hiring. —Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

A number of other interest groups, such as Turning Point USA and Club For Growth, have also pledged to support primary challengers seeking to oust anti-redistricting incumbents. —Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for oust

• doused
• faust
• joust

Kids Definition

oust

verb

ˈau̇st 

: to force or drive out (as from office or from possession of something)