Synonyms of expel

expel

verb

ik-ˈspel 

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eject
• out
• banish
• dismiss
• chase
• evict
• remove
• oust
• extrude
• cast out
• kick out
• sack
• run off
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• rout
• turn out
• bounce
• turf (out)
• ostracize
• send packing
• dispossess
• fire
• deport
• give one the gate
• shut out
• exile
• read out
• displace
• expatriate
• can
• terminate
• deforce
• retire
• discharge
• pink-slip
• muster out
• ax
• defenestrate
• release
• cashier

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• receive
• take
• accept
• admit
• take in
• welcome
• entertain
• shelter
• house
• harbor
• lodge

2

as in to cast

to throw or give off

something in a wastebasket was expelling a foul odor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cast
• radiate
• emit
• release
• emanate
• eliminate
• send (out)
• evolve
• exhale
• issue
• shoot
• discharge
• irradiate
• pour
• vent
• throw out
• evacuate
• give out
• excrete
• expire
• eject
• secrete
• erupt
• exude
• ooze
• spray
• jet
• squirt
• gush
• spew
• spurt
• spout
• outpour

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• absorb
• take up
• inhale
• soak (up)
• suck (up)
• sponge

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eject
• erupt
• spit
• disgorge
• emit
• pour
• belch
• spew
• jet
• spurt
• hurl
• release
• fire
• spout
• stream
• eruct
• exhale
• emanate
• squirt
• heave
• gush
• surge
• toss
• issue
• vent
• spring
• shoot
• discharge
• fling
• cast
• launch
• pitch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contain
• restrain
• shut (in or up)
• bottle (up)

4

as in to exhale

to let or force out of the lungs

asked the patient to expel a deep breath

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exhale
• blow (out)
• breathe (out)
• expire
• expectorate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhale
• inspire
• inbreathe

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

Recent Examples of expel

He was expelled from Prairie View A&M University in 1971 after protesting against the expulsion of the editor of the student newspaper. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

That led to some extreme measures being discussed, including reports this week that the SEC was prepared to vote imminently to expel LSU from the conference entirely. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

This legislation is significant in light of recent escalations by militant West Bank settlers conducting a campaign of killing, arson and intimidation against Palestinians to expel them from their land. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026

In 1976, after signing a petition in support of Wilfried Linke, a fellow student expelled from the college for criticizing the dogmatic ideological orientation of Marxist-Leninist instruction, she herself was expelled. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026