oust

[ oust ]

verb (used with object)

1. to expel or remove from a place or position occupied:

   The bouncer ousted the drunk;

   to oust the prime minister in the next election.

   Synonyms: dislodge, evict, banish, eject

2. Law. to eject or evict; dispossess.

oust

/ aʊst /

verb

1. to force out of a position or place; supplant or expel
2. property law to deprive (a person) of the possession of land

Word History and Origins

Origin of oust¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French ouster “to remove,” Old French oster, from Latin obstāre “to stand in the way, oppose” ( ob- ob- + stāre “to stand ”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of oust¹

C16: from Anglo-Norman ouster, from Latin obstāre to withstand, from ob- against + stāre to stand

Example Sentences

“We will beat up anime kids. … We will bring the American family back to the woods, back to self-sufficiency. … We will oust illegal immigrants with zero mercy.”

From Salon

On Monday, a new prime minister was installed by the country's ruling council after the previous leader, Garry Conille, was ousted less than six months into the job.

From BBC

Voters in Council District 14, meanwhile, ousted Councilmember Kevin de León, who refused to resign after being caught on tape making deplorable, racially divisive comments.

From Los Angeles Times

He described his ousting as illegal, saying in a letter - seen by Reuters news agency - that it raised "serious concerns" about Haiti's future.

From BBC

Some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans have previously been involved in racist incidents in Israel, including cursing at the team’s Palestinian and Arab players and reportedly applying pressure on the team to oust them.

From BBC

Related Words

• depose
• dethrone
• dislodge
• drive out
• eject
• evict
• fire
• force out
• let go
• lose
• remove
• sack
• topple
• unseat