Synonyms of oust

oust

verb

ˈau̇st 

1

as in to eject

to drive or force out

she was ousted from her job after it was proven she'd been pilfering company supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to depose

to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne)

the people finally rose up and ousted the corrupt dictator

Synonyms & Similar Words

• depose
• topple
• unseat
• dethrone
• sack
• dismiss
• deprive
• displace
• banish
• unmake
• defrock
• remove
• overthrow
• usurp
• fire
• can
• uncrown
• eject
• supplant
• unthrone
• expel
• subvert
• retire
• cast out
• muster out
• rout
• extrude
• chase
• discharge
• run off
• boot (out)
• drum (out)
• throw out
• cashier
• bounce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crown
• initiate
• install
• appoint
• invest
• elect
• enthrone
• inaugurate
• designate
• baptize
• throne
• induct
• instate

3

as in to evict

to end the occupancy or possession of

the squatters were forcibly ousted from the abandoned building

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evict
• deprive
• dispossess
• divest
• expropriate
• strip
• usurp
• disinherit
• deforce
• annex
• impound
• commandeer
• seize
• disfurnish
• appropriate
• bereave
• take over

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb oust contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oust are eject, evict, and expel. While all these words mean "to drive or force out," oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

When would eject be a good substitute for oust?

The words eject and oust 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

In what contexts can evict take the place of oust?

The synonyms evict and oust are sometimes interchangeable, but evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

When might expel be a better fit than oust?

While the synonyms expel and oust are close in meaning, expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of oust

The 25-year-old recently leaped into the intra-party civil war by spending $20 million to oust Democratic incumbents in safe seats. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

The appointment came after a heated and divided vote late last week by the City Council to oust Ben Martinez, following mounting complaints about low staff morale, poor fiscal management and overall instability at City Hall. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

Paul Offit, a leading vaccine researcher, immediately challenged this, as did Peter Marks, the former head of the FDA’s biologics center, who was recently ousted, and other prominent physician researchers. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

The White House is starting to rebuild the National Security Council with aides top officials believe are staunchly aligned with President Trump's agenda after six people were ousted earlier this month, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. —Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025