depose

[ dih-pohz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·posed, de·pos·ing.

1. to remove from office or position, especially high office:

   The people deposed the dictator.

2. to testify or affirm under oath, especially in a written statement:

   to depose that it was true.

3. Law. to take the deposition of; examine under oath:

   Two lawyers deposed the witness.

verb (used without object)

, de·posed, de·pos·ing.

1. to give sworn testimony, especially in writing.

depose

/ dɪˈpəʊz /

verb

1. tr to remove from an office or position, esp one of power or rank
2. law to testify or give (evidence, etc) on oath, esp when taken down in writing; make a deposition

Derived Forms

• deˈposable, adjective
• deˈposer, noun

Other Words From

• de·pos·a·ble adjective
• de·pos·er noun
• un·de·pos·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depose¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English deposen, from Old French deposer “to put down,” equivalent to de- de- + poser, from unattested Vulgar Latin posāre, Late Latin pausāre; pose ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of depose¹

C13: from Old French deposer to put away, put down, from Late Latin dēpōnere to depose from office, from Latin: to put aside; see depone

Example Sentences

Gaetz, who led the successful effort to depose former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023, claimed that the investigations were punishment for his defiance.

From Salon

Brad Lander, the current city comptroller, is running as well, and he is both popular on the progressive left and a top contender to depose Adams.

From Slate

Anaheim City Attorney Robert Fabela, who told the Angels in a 2022 letter that the unauthorized disclosure of city information “throws all aspects of the … deal into shadow,” told the council he believed a court would permit the city to depose Moreno and Sidhu in any litigation.

From Los Angeles Times

We’re also asking the judge to rule on whether Jinkins has inappropriately withheld that information and to authorize our attorney to depose her.

From Seattle Times

The reality is that after passing the foreign aid package including funding for Ukraine that prompted the push by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia, to depose Mr. Johnson, little polarizing legislative work remains to be done this Congress while the fight for House control is about to get into full swing.

From New York Times

Related Words

• demote
• dethrone
• dismiss
• impeach
• overthrow
• unseat