Synonyms of expel

expel

verb

ik-ˈspel 

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eject
• out
• banish
• dismiss
• chase
• evict
• remove
• oust
• extrude
• cast out
• kick out
• sack
• run off
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• rout
• turn out
• bounce
• turf (out)
• ostracize
• send packing
• dispossess
• fire
• deport
• give one the gate
• shut out
• exile
• read out
• displace
• expatriate
• terminate
• can
• deforce
• axe
• retire
• discharge
• pink-slip
• muster out
• ax
• defenestrate
• release
• cashier

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• receive
• take
• accept
• admit
• take in
• welcome
• entertain
• shelter
• house
• harbor
• lodge

2

as in to cast

to throw or give off

something in a wastebasket was expelling a foul odor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cast
• radiate
• emit
• release
• emanate
• eliminate
• send (out)
• evolve
• exhale
• issue
• shoot
• discharge
• irradiate
• pour
• vent
• throw out
• evacuate
• give out
• excrete
• expire
• eject
• secrete
• erupt
• exude
• ooze
• spray
• jet
• squirt
• gush
• spew
• spurt
• spout
• outpour

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• absorb
• take up
• inhale
• soak (up)
• suck (up)
• sponge

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eject
• erupt
• spit
• disgorge
• emit
• pour
• belch
• spew
• jet
• spurt
• hurl
• release
• fire
• spout
• stream
• eruct
• exhale
• emanate
• squirt
• heave
• gush
• surge
• toss
• issue
• vent
• spring
• shoot
• discharge
• fling
• cast
• launch
• pitch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contain
• restrain
• shut (in or up)
• bottle (up)

4

as in to exhale

to let or force out of the lungs

asked the patient to expel a deep breath

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exhale
• blow (out)
• breathe (out)
• expire
• expectorate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhale
• inspire
• inbreathe

Synonym Chooser

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expel

Two of the expelled died of exposure; the rest made their way to Portland by foot or rail. —Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025

Sometimes migration can lead to rejection, or when the body sees the piercing as a foreign object and tries to expel the piercing from your teen’s skin. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025

Ramaphosa is also expected to name a new ambassador to Washington after the last one was expelled. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025

But in November 2024, the United States requested that Qatar expel the militant group's political wing from the country. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Sep. 2025