unseat

verb

un·​seat ˌən-ˈsēt How to pronounce unseat (audio)
unseated; unseating; unseats

transitive verb

1
: to dislodge from one's seat especially on horseback
2
: to remove from a place or position
especially : to remove from political office

Examples of unseat in a Sentence

He unseated an incumbent senator. The horse bucked and unseated its rider.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trinidad’s government has endorsed the deployment, emphasizing its support for regional security while denying any involvement in efforts to unseat Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 Lai’s speeches were timed leading up to July recall votes that could have unseated 24 lawmakers for the pro-China KMT and thus tip the balance of power for his DPP in the Legislative Yuan. Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025 Derek James Smith, a salesperson and first-time political candidate hoping to unseat City Council President Colin Nash, has been open about his past meth addiction. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025 This will be the second primary challenge launched to unseat Ogles since his election in 2022. Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unseat

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unseat was in 1596

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Cite this Entry

“Unseat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unseat. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

unseat

verb
un·​seat ˌən-ˈsēt How to pronounce unseat (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to throw from one's seat especially on horseback
2
: to remove from a place or position
especially : to remove from political office

More from Merriam-Webster on unseat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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