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

This effectively bars the deposed leader, who is married to a French woman.

From BBC

In neighbouring Gabon, President Ali Bongo was deposed by the army last year after the regime manipulated the 2023 election to deliver him a further seven-year term despite his fragile state of health.

From BBC

He was deposed in that lawsuit on the day of the shooting, which has shaken up the small town.

From Salon

This stand marks a clear departure from deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's renowned "hilsa diplomacy" with India, where she often allowed consignments of the fish to be transported to India during the festival season.

From BBC

At one point, proceedings were delayed due to a dispute over whether Spotify's CEO Daniel Ek would be deposed in the case.

From BBC

Related Words

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