unseat

verb

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

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.
Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, is seeking to unseat Cornyn and is his most formidable challenger in the Republican primary. Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026 Still, despite these questions, unlike the previous three seasons of near misses, where Arsenal finished second to a more relentless rival, there is no real candidate who looks capable of unseating them this time. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 Willett, who is running for the 323rd District Court seat, which hears child welfare and juvenile delinquency cases, is hoping to unseat Judge Alex Kim, a Republican and the chair of the Tarrant County Juvenile Board. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026 Beutner belongs to a larger field of candidates, many of them unknown, seeking to unseat Bass after a single four-year term. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026 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 30 Jan. 2026.

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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