Definition of oustnext

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

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 oust South Korea shifted to a softer tone under current liberal President Lee Jae Myung, who took office last year after his conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 The council named Alexander interim mayor after ousting Williams, according to the city's website. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 In the general election, Villaraigosa ousted Hahn in a landslide. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 In late May, CBS ousted correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega along with several of the show’s top producers, including executive producer Tanya Simon. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oust
Verb
  • Thankfully, the emergency abort escape system ejected their Soyuz space capsule from the top of the rocket just two seconds before the fire caused the explosion.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The crash triggered an emergency response near Morro Bay, where the pilot was rescued after ejecting from the aircraft.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Turkish government was deposed in a military coup in 1980, and in the aftermath, the CHP (along with every other party) was banned from politics.
    — Nick TaborAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • After Terri hired a lawyer and stopped cooperating with authorities, Desiree filed a civil suit as an investigative tool to depose her and others to get information.
    — Eileen Murphy, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When the government expanded the park in the late 1990s and early 2000s, hundreds of villagers—including Mgesi's family—were forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands.
    — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Twenty-six percent of women who were pregnant or postpartum when they were illegally evicted lacked a lease, and 21% of all interview participants who were illegally evicted had a month-to-month tenancy.
    — Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian stepped out for a very rare family outing with their two daughters.
    — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The right-hander pitched in his third rehab outing Friday at Double-A Portland with 48 pitches across three innings, allowing one run and striking out four.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The winds toppled trees in New York City, with some landing on top of parked cars.
    — Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Someone who would be Paul’s equal and topple him from the cake stand of being de facto head judge.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The injury deprives quarterback Matthew Stafford of his top target as the Rams look to avoid an 0-2 start.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Even worse, the process of trying to decompose those grounds can deprive your orchid of nutrients.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • With an almost puritanical zeal, Pavese sought to banish rhetoric and image.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Now, after King Charles stripped her and Andrew of the titles of Duke and Duchess of York and banished them from Royal Lodge, Fergie is reportedly seeking a face-to-face meeting with Charles.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Magyar won a landslide election this spring, unseating the far-right nationalist Orbán after 16 years in power.
    — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The Bills, in Lewis’ second year, unseated the Patriots to win the AFC East, then stacked four more division titles on top.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oust. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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