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

Amid pressure to expel Israeli public broadcaster Kan from the music competition, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has asked its 68 members to decide in an online ballot next month. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025

Pearson, expelled from the Tennessee House in 2023 after leading a gun control protest, was later reappointed and won a special election, cementing his status as a rising progressive voice. —Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025

The elder Mamdani grew up in Uganda, in East Africa, in a community of Ugandans of Indian descent, known as the Bayindi, who played a prominent role in the country until Idi Amin expelled them en masse in 1972. —Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

Katherina Lynn had only been Katherina Lynn for a month before she was expelled from Yale for admissions fraud. —Clara Molot, Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025