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

Kean won in 2022 by unseating Democrat Tom Malinowski, who had ousted Republican Leonard Lance in 2018. — Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026

Smith is considered a major longshot to unseat Dru Smith as the Heat’s backup point guard. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

That said, Georgia looked every bit like a championship contender and might unseat the Longhorns. — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Two years later, Sosnick helped Streets for All pass Measure HLA and put $25,000 into a committee that backed attorney Ysabel Jurado, who unseated Councilmember Kevin de León. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 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