EXPEL Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'expel' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expel are eject , evict , and oust . While all these words mean "to drive or force out," expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical. // a student expelled from college

Q: When would 'eject' be a good substitute for 'expel'?

While the synonyms eject and expel are close in meaning, eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action. // ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

Q: When could 'evict' be used to replace 'expel'?

The words evict and expel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home. // evicted for nonpayment of rent

Q: When is it sensible to use 'oust' instead of 'expel'?

While in some cases nearly identical to expel , oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion. // police ousted the squatters

expel

verb

ik-ˈspel

Definition of expel next

as in to eject

to drive or force out animal lover though I am, I was determined to expel the uninvited mouse from my room

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cast

to throw or give off something in a wastebasket was expelling a foul odor

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as in to erupt

to violently throw out or off (something from within) ringing and flashing madly, the slot machine expelled a bucketful of quarters

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as in to exhale

to let or force out of the lungs asked the patient to expel a deep breath

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb expel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expel are eject, evict, and oust. While all these words mean "to drive or force out," expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

When would eject be a good substitute for expel?

While the synonyms eject and expel are close in meaning, 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 could evict be used to replace expel?

The words evict and expel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

When is it sensible to use oust instead of expel?

While in some cases nearly identical to expel, 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 expel Naqvi was expelled from the University of Illinois for her role in the incidents, according to the News-Gazette in Champaign-Urbana. —

Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 12 Mar. 2026 The bank employees were held for over 24 hours and then expelled from Hungary late Friday. —

Justin Spike The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026 One of the handguns expelled the casing found at the scene of the homicide, Wolf’s lawyer stipulated at a preliminary hearing. —

Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 Mission planners mapped out the probes’ return home when the spacecraft concluded its mission — conducting a few maneuvers designed to expel any remnants of fuel and confirm that the vehicles were in a position for atmospheric drag to slowly pull them out of orbit. —

Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expel

Verb

That same month, a Starlink satellite exploded in orbit, ejecting dozens of pieces of debris, although no in-space collision was to blame.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office will decide whether more serious charges are filed against a Fort Worth teen mother whose infant son died after being ejected from their car in a March 7 crash, police said Tuesday.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026