unseat

verb

un·​seat ˌən-ˈsēt 

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

Synonyms of unseat

• depose
• topple
• dethrone

Examples of unseat in a Sentence

He unseated an incumbent senator.

The horse bucked and unseated its rider.

Recent Examples on the Web

Secretary Victor Lozier, who led the campaign to unseat de Borbon and wants strict management of Airbnbs, is CEO of VoilaRentals. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

The event on Thursday also symbolized the lengths Republicans took to unseat Cleaver, Kansas City’s first Black mayor and one of Missouri’s most experienced lawmakers. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Bass and Raman were political allies at one point, with Raman even endorsing the mayor before launching a campaign to unseat her. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Taylor, who raised more than $280,000 in his bid to unseat Simpson, goes by the moniker Matt the Welder to highlight his working-class upbringing. — CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unseat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

unseat

verb

un·​seat ˌən-ˈsēt 

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