evict

Definition of evictnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb evict contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evict are eject, expel, and oust. While all these words mean "to drive or force out," evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

When is eject a more appropriate choice than evict?

The words eject and evict can be used in similar contexts, but eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

When can expel be used instead of evict?

While in some cases nearly identical to evict, expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

In what contexts can oust take the place of evict?

The words oust and evict are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of evict By March 2022, several of Herrling’s neighbors complained to the building about her behavior, and the management informed them that Herrling had been evicted for not paying rent. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 Landlords in Durban and Johannesburg also evicted foreign tenants illegally to avoid further trouble, witnesses alleged. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 In the early 1960s he was evicted from Knock John, another sea fort closer to Britain’s coast. Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026 The ordinance would require landlords to provide a valid reason before evicting a tenant or declining to renew their lease. Megan De Mar, CBS News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for evict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evict
Verb
  • Hull said the bullet had not been fired and was ejected from an officer’s rifle and that the other people interviewed had been cleared by investigators.
    Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Giants manager Tony Vitello came out to argue the call and was ejected by plate umpire Lance Barksdale, the second ejection this season for the first-year skipper.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • Mary appears to have a form of treatment-resistant schizophrenia, until chemotherapy, following a diagnosis of lymphoma, banishes her psychiatric symptoms.
    Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Catlett was banished from the United States for what her art had to say.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Using a heat pump, the extensively insulated magnet system expels heat to allow the coils to power up at temperatures as low as 77 kelvin, or -321 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026
  • The criticism prompted Riyadh to expel Canada’s ambassador, suspend new trade and investment and recall thousands of Saudi students.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • That suit was dismissed after a judge ruled that Lively’s accusations were protected by litigation privilege.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • News outlets uncovered years-old comments on Reddit that appeared to endorse political violence, dismiss rape in the military, criticize rural Americans and use anti-gay slurs.
    Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • When retirees are unable to access healthcare because immigrant caregivers have been deported, their adult children often deplete their savings and can incur substantial debt.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026
  • What happens to the children of people arrested, detained and deported by ICE?
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • On two occasions, a Spanish player remained on the floor after being strongly dispossessed, with Uruguay fashioning chances for Nunez, reintroduced to the starting line-up as Bielsa’s only change after the Cape Verde draw.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026
  • He was tackled and dispossessed with the ball on a trajectory to the goal.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The reality star, actress, and comedian hasn't been exiled from late night altogether, however.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
  • The producers essentially did as much once both were exiled from Casa Amor, and the two made the mutual decision to couple up onscreen.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • The Angels then chased Eovaldi when Logan O’Hoppe walked and Wade Meckler singled, driving in a run as the top of the order came to the plate.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
  • Muse Spark is chasing what Anthropic and OpenAI are already doing for developers accustomed to agentic coding tools, and Muse Spark doesn’t show major improvements in coding over its competitors’ models, according to benchmarks.
    Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Evict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evict. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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