dislodge

verb

dis·​lodge (ˌ)dis-ˈläj 

dislodged; dislodging; dislodges

transitive verb

1

: to drive from a position of hiding, defense, or advantage

2

: to force out of a secure or settled position

dislodged the rock with a shovel

intransitive verb

: to leave a place previously occupied

dislodgment

(ˌ)dis-ˈläj-mənt 

noun

or dislodgement

Examples of dislodge in a Sentence

The earthquake dislodged several boulders from the cliff.

He kicked at the stone to dislodge it.

The army has dislodged enemy forces from their stronghold.

Recent Examples on the Web

Being scientific meant dislodging people from these immature attachments. —Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025

Major weather events, such as hurricanes or floods, can dislodge vegetation and carry animals along with it. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025

United have been dislodged from England’s top spot since the 2020-21 season, with neighbours Manchester City racing ahead. —Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025

From the May 2018 issue: The report on race that shook America The onslaught dislodged Rooks’s faith in the value of contemporary integration, and even of Brown itself. —Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disloggen, from Anglo-French *desloger, from des- dis- + loger to find lodging for, encamp, from loge shelter — more at lodge

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dislodge

• hodgepodge
• auge
• hodge
• podge
• fuselage

Kids Definition

dislodge

verb

dis·​lodge (ˈ)dis-ˈläj 

: to force out of a place especially of rest, hiding, or defense