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

And Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, who unseated incumbent Greg Abbott, made opposition to data centers a major plank of her campaign. — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Democrat Scott Colom, who is in a close count to potentially unseat incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's Senate race, is holding a small lead as the ballots continue to be counted. — Spencer Kimball,garrett Downs,dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Democrat Manny Rutinel is projected to win Colorado's 8th Congressional District after unseating Republican incumbent Gabe Evans. — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Democrats swept all three races for the Tarrant County Commissioners Court and unseated the Republican incumbents for Tarrant County district attorney, district clerk and county clerk. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 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