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 vote to oust Richard Barron, who has led Fulton’s elections since 2013, appears to have violated Georgia’s open meetings law. — Ben Brasch, ajc, "EXCLUSIVE: Fulton board makes ‘invalid’ vote to fire elections director," 12 Feb. 2021 National labor groups have largely resisted calls to oust police unions from their ranks, however. — Joshua Fechter, San Antonio Express-News, "Ballot initiative to gut San Antonio police union draws opposition from AFL-CIO," 7 Feb. 2021 The move briefly had people wondering whether Democrats’ push to oust Trump before Inauguration Day might actually work. — Philip Elliott, Time, "GOP Leaders Seem to Want a Trump Divorce. But They Can’t Bring Themselves to Sign the Papers," 14 Jan. 2021 The Constitution requires a two-thirds majority to convict a president, meaning at least 17 Republicans would need to join all 50 Democrats to oust Trump. — Alan Fram, Anchorage Daily News, "McConnell leaves open the possibility of voting to convict Trump in impeachment trial," 13 Jan. 2021 Biden distanced himself from his fellow Democrats' push to oust Trump with the 25th Amendment. — Zeke Miller And Mary Clare Jalonick, Star Tribune, "Lawmakers openly discuss ousting Trump, possible impeachment," 7 Jan. 2021 In claiming a multinational, communist plot to oust Trump, his attorney Sidney Powell also questioned GOP victories in House and Senate races. — David M. Drucker, Washington Examiner, "Republicans irate after Trump lawyers claim they are in on election conspiracy," 20 Nov. 2020 One after another, Biden voters across the state in the last week said their votes were motivated primarily by a desire to oust Mr. Trump. — New York Times, "After 2016 Shock, Wisconsin Democrats Picked Themselves Off the Floor," 3 Nov. 2020 On Wednesday, House Republicans blocked an effort by conservative hardliners to oust the No. 3 House Republican, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., from her leadership role. — Alan Fram, Star Tribune, "Defend or rebuke? House GOP faces difficult vote over Greene," 4 Feb. 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.