evict

verb

i-ˈvikt 

evicted; evicting; evicts

transitive verb

1

a

: to recover (property) from a person by legal process

b

: to put (a tenant) out by legal process

2

: to force out : expel

eviction

i-ˈvik-shən 

noun

evictor

i-ˈvik-tər 

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for evict

eject, expel, oust, evict mean to drive or force out.

eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

Examples of evict in a Sentence

His landlord has threatened to evict him if he doesn't pay the rent soon.

They were evicted from their apartment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Not only are people evicted, but new construction demands a premium when the unit is initially rented. —Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2024

As the production progresses toward the late sixties through the 1980s and into the present, the trio is evicted five times, moving together and apart in varied apartments and condos. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024

Hialeah struggling with affordability Public records show that Manor Hialeah, the newest property, made up of 642 units and located in the Amelia district, has evicted 16 families of the 45 complaints in eight months, an average of two tenants per month. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

Berenice Melchor became a participant in the program in 2023 after struggling to find housing after being evicted. —Lydia Fletcher, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024

Even after the shady deal, prosecutors said, Hall and Miller gave the woman only $2,000 in cash, reneged on a promise to let the woman stay on the property until her death, and sold the property to a third party, who subsequently attempted to evict the woman. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

At least 40 families have been evicted from the Midtown shelter since January. —Sara Herschander, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Mar. 2024

Families were evicted in May 1959 so construction of the new stadium could begin. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 26 Mar. 2024

Now, more people feel the squeeze This year, PACT members’ No. 1 priority were plans to address surging rent prices which have lead to tenants becoming evicted and sometimes, homeless. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin evictus, past participle of evincere, from Latin, to vanquish, win a point — more at evince

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

evict

verb

i-ˈvikt 

: to put (a person) out from property by legal action

eviction

-ˈvik-shən 

noun

evictor

-ˈvik-tər 

noun

Legal Definition

evict

transitive verb

i-ˈvikt 

: to put (a tenant) out of property by force, by virtue of a paramount title, or especially by legal process

Etymology

Medieval Latin evictus, past participle of evincere to recover (property) by legal process, from Latin, to vanquish, regain possession of