Synonym Chooser

How does the verb oust contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oust are eject, evict, and expel. While all these words mean "to drive or force out," oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

When would eject be a good substitute for oust?

The words eject and oust can be used in similar contexts, but eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

In what contexts can evict take the place of oust?

The synonyms evict and oust are sometimes interchangeable, but evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

When might expel be a better fit than oust?

While the synonyms expel and oust are close in meaning, expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oust Earlier this year, Democrats stepped in to kill an effort led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to oust Johnson. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024 Though the Venezuelan opposition—and the Trump administration—would limp along in their attempts to oust Maduro, the best chance had been lost. Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024 Frasers, which has a 27 percent stake in Boohoo, also wants to see Lyttle, who served as CEO for five years, ousted from the board. Samantha Conti, WWD, 24 Oct. 2024 Outside groups are spending big money to oust Marshall. John Frank, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oust 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oust
Verb
  • His win completes one of the most remarkable comebacks in political history, just four years after voters ejected him from the office.
    Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Jon — who kicked off his time at the studio by sending a company plane filled with flowers to court supermodel Vendela — was the first to be ejected, at Peter’s behest, in 1991.
    Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • After being deposed by Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga last season, Bayern will be itching to let Olise loose.
    Phil Hay, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024
  • The story of that secret anti-Maduro effort also lays bare the tensions between an administration with hardliners laser-focused on deposing the Venezuelan autocrat and a CIA deeply reluctant, yet nevertheless obligated, to follow White House orders.
    Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • The City Council took a step toward eliminating a rule that allows renters to be evicted when landlords carry out major renovations of their buildings.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
  • After the assaults, the bombardment died down, possibly indicating the Ukrainians had evicted local Russian forces.
    David Axe, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Eddie and Venom are fugitives on the run, outed from the big finale fight in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
    Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2024
  • While Taylor looks stressed, the conversation is interrupted by Jennifer's return from being missing in action after her fight with Zac about the women's Chippendale outing the night before.
    Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • One Direction toppled chart records that had stood since The Beatles’ legendary run in the 1960s, and inspired the revival of the boyband in popular culture.
    Rob Picheta, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Bonus points for unique villains (including the deaf-mute Hammer Girl and baseball-wielding brother) and high stakes that play out like a Jenga tower always on the verge of toppling over.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The first count said the officer deprived Taylor and her boyfriend of their constitutional rights by firing shots through a bedroom window that was covered with blinds and a blackout curtain.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The standoff captured wide attention, playing out during a key interval on the sports calendar and depriving millions of customers of college football and U.S. Open tennis.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Tribal leaders had banished Chasing Horse in 2015 from the reservation amid allegations of human trafficking.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Those found guilty of habitual funny cowboy dancing are either executed or banished to the Desolate Zone, where they are forced to get jobs and raise families.
    Jack Handey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Republican Bernie Moreno unseats Sherrod Brown in key Ohio Senate race.
    Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 20 Nov. 2024
  • In Central New York, Democratic state Senator John Mannion unseated Republican Rep. Brandon Williams, who was widely seen as one of the GOP's most vulnerable incumbents this cycle after state Democrats redrew his district to tilt in their favor.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near oust

Cite this Entry

“Oust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oust. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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