Synonyms

unseat

American

[uhn-seet] / ʌnˈsit /

verb (used with object)

to dislodge from a seat, especially to throw from a saddle, as a rider; unhorse.
to remove from political office by an elective process, by force, or by legal action.

The corrupt mayor was finally unseated.

unseat British

/ ʌnˈsiːt /

verb

to throw or displace from a seat, saddle, etc
to depose from office or position

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unseat

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ² + seat

Vocabulary lists containing unseat

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Does he hope the people rise up and unseat the new leader?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Bennett, a Democrat, is running in a competitive race to unseat Republican Thomas Kean Jr. in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

In the other five City Council races, challengers will try to unseat incumbents.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old pop star turned politician, is Museveni's main challenger, seeking to unseat him for the second time after finishing runner-up in 2021 polls.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

It was rebelling and would have leaped over the side of the mountain, to all our destruction, in its attempt to unseat me had I relaxed control for a single second.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023