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 of oust in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ramping up efforts to oust justices Arizona's judicial retention system dates to 1974. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024 McGuffey ousted Neil in the Democratic primary in 2020 in a race that garnered national headlines. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 16 Oct. 2024 Lawson-Remer has advertised Faulconer's oval office photo with former President Trump often, a tactic that proved effective in ousting a Republican council member in an overlapping district in 2018. Andrew Keatts, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024 Cheney would go on to serve as vice chair of the Jan. 6 select committee after being ousted as conference chair. Andrew Solender, Axios, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oust 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oust.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near oust

Cite this Entry

“Oust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oust. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on oust

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