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

Incumbent Lisa Cline was unseated by challenger Cynthia Stone in District 5. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025

Westland City Council incumbents unseated Westland was among the cities that only had one candidate for mayor. —Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025

Benson unseated incumbent Jim McMullen. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025

And for 30 years, Calvert has consistently won re-election despite Democrats’ best efforts — and millions of dollars spent — to unseat him in what have been more competitive races. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 5 Nov. 2025

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