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 The other option for the United States is a land invasion aimed at forcibly ousting the Iranian regime. James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 Former Fox host Tucker Carlson was ousted in 2023 just after the Dominion settlement had been struck and days after a former producer on his primetime show, Abby Grossberg, filed suit against him over workplace issues. David Folkenflik, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026 House Speaker Mike Johnson is tested by his narrow majority almost daily, and his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, was the first in history to be booted from office, ousted by a small number of opponents from his own side. Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 In 2019, Puerto Ricans fought to oust the pro-statehood governor, only to have the same party in power ever since. Vanessa Diaz, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oust
Verb
  • Oli Marmol was later ejected after sticking up for Rincon, who was making his MLB debut.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol argued with plate umpire Doug Eddings and was ejected.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 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
  • The affair resulted in Attila’s breakup, the (temporary) end of his best-friendship, and Joel getting evicted from Small’s house.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That meant the vote came down to either Lala or ally Taylor Brown, and the house elected to evict LaTrice by a vote of 4-2.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • At first the killer is revealed to be Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren), and Wadsworth outs himself as FBI.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Co-owner John Mara is battling cancer, and co-owner Steve Tisch is laying low after being outed in the Epstein Files.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Photos of festival damage, showing vendors’ tables, tents and supplies toppled and strewn across Independence Square, appeared across social media.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Great athletes experience it more keenly than most in their sunset years; ultimately, no one can topple it.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • There won’t be enough offshore flow to create much of any canyon winds but enough to deprive the region of the cooling sea breeze, forecasters say.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier this summer, one CEO talked about implementing a new T&E system that deprived employees of the right to get personal loyalty benefits from travel.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After Hallet dies in a misguided clinic bust care of a banishing spell gone awry, the whole Owens clan is nearly destroyed.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • However, their time together ended when Tamburello, a faithful, turned on Parks, a traitor, and voted to banish her in episode 10.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Buhari benefited from outrage over the Chibok girls’ abduction to become the first opposition candidate to unseat a president, and Tinubu succeeded Buhari in power.
    Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oust. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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