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

Gaetz led the effort to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and McCarthy said that Gaetz was motivated by the ongoing probe.

From Salon

Pelosi is widely reported to have led the Democrats’ push to oust Biden, who ended up leaving the race at the end of July after weeks of pressure following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump.

From BBC

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, blamed the election loss on those who plotted to oust Biden.

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