EXPEL Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'expel' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expel are eject , evict , and oust . While all these words mean "to drive or force out," expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical. // a student expelled from college

Q: When would 'eject' be a good substitute for 'expel'?

While the synonyms eject and expel are close in meaning, eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action. // ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

Q: When could 'evict' be used to replace 'expel'?

The words evict and expel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home. // evicted for nonpayment of rent

Q: When is it sensible to use 'oust' instead of 'expel'?

While in some cases nearly identical to expel , oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion. // police ousted the squatters

expel

verb

ik-ˈspel

Definition of expel next

as in to eject

to drive or force out animal lover though I am, I was determined to expel the uninvited mouse from my room

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cast

to throw or give off something in a wastebasket was expelling a foul odor

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as in to erupt

to violently throw out or off (something from within) ringing and flashing madly, the slot machine expelled a bucketful of quarters

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as in to exhale

to let or force out of the lungs asked the patient to expel a deep breath

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How does the verb expel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expel are eject, evict, and oust. While all these words mean "to drive or force out," expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

When would eject be a good substitute for expel?

While the synonyms eject and expel are close in meaning, eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

When could evict be used to replace expel?

The words evict and expel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

When is it sensible to use oust instead of expel?

While in some cases nearly identical to expel, oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

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 expel White vigilantes — including Mayor Jacob Weisbach and other local political leaders — forcibly expelled all of Tacoma's Chinese residents, this time putting them on a train instead of boats. —

Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024 Now Her appearance on Cameo followed two former members of Congress joining the platform: Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) joined last week after withdrawing his name for attorney general, and George Santos (R-N.Y.) joined after being expelled from Congress. —

Emily Brooks, The Hill, 26 Nov. 2024 In the three months prior to the November election, the agency signed $20 million in contracts for new phone hacking, surveillance and forensics technologies that can be used to spy on and track down the people Trump has vowed to expel from the country. —

Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 The fallout prompted Trudeau to expel six Indian diplomats, including India’s high commissioner to Canada. —

Daniel Block, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for expel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expel

Verb

Volcanic materials—including smoldering rocks, lava, and hot, thumb-sized gravel and ash—were ejected up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the crater on November 8, according to Hadi Wijaya.

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Delay was written on a live round that was not fired but ejected, apparently when the shooter was clearing a jam.

Chris Isidore, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024