evict

[ ih-vikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to expel (a person, especially a tenant) from land, a building, etc., by legal process, as for nonpayment of rent.

   Synonyms: dislodge, dispossess, remove, eject

2. to throw or force out, as from a place, organization, or position:

   He was evicted from office by a populist revolution.

3. to recover (property, titles, etc.) by virtue of superior legal title.

evict

/ ɪˈvɪkt /

verb

1. to expel (a tenant) from property by process of law; turn out
2. to recover (property or the title to property) by judicial process or by virtue of a superior title

Derived Forms

• eˈviction, noun
• eˌvicˈtee, noun
• eˈvictor, noun

Other Words From

• e·vic·tion noun
• e·vic·tor noun
• re·e·vict verb (used with object)
• un·e·vict·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of evict¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English evicten, from Late Latin ēvictus “having recovered one's property by law,” Latin: past participle of ēvincere “to overcome, conquer, evince,” equivalent to ē- “from, out of; thoroughly” + vic- (past participle stem of vincere “to conquer”) + -tus past participle suffix; evince, e- ¹, victor

Word History and Origins

Origin of evict¹

C15: from Late Latin ēvincere, from Latin: to vanquish utterly, from vincere to conquer

Example Sentences

Under “just cause” eviction rules, L.A. landlords can evict tenants only for specific reasons, one of which is to “substantially remodel” their properties.

From Los Angeles Times

“Rent increases are motivating owners to evict people who have lived in their properties for many years so that they can charge more money,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Under the city’s “just cause” eviction rules, landlords can evict tenants only for specific reasons, one of which is to “substantially remodel” their properties.

From Los Angeles Times

Tenant advocates see the remodel exemption as a loophole that lets owners evict longtime tenants in order to raise rents.

From Los Angeles Times

Daniel Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles, said “people don’t go through the permitting process and spend thousands of dollars on a remodel just to try and evict people.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chase
• dislodge
• dismiss
• dispossess
• eject
• expel
• force out
• oust
• remove