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

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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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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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

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 One study suggests that mass air-conditioning could expel enough hot air to raise the city’s temperature by nearly 4 degrees Fahrenheit on the hottest days, and bring more intense localized effects on narrow streets and in building courtyards. — Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 Charles scored in the semi-final against Middlesbrough before Tonda Eckert’s side was expelled from contention by the English Football League for attempting to spy on their opponents. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 2 July 2026 This decision clears the way for more than 350,000 people to be stripped of status and expelled, many of them after having used this status over years as the basis to build stable lives all around the country, including here in NYC. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 South Africa, which was expelled from FIFA in 1976 as a consequence of its apartheid government, returned to participation in 1992 but didn’t qualify for the World Cup until 1998 and also made appearances in 2002 and 2010. — Fred Robledo, Oc Register, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for expel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expel

Verb

Although Cavalli remained in the game, Contreras, Miles Mikolas, Nate Eaton, and Boston interim manager Chad Tracy were ejected.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Thirteen players, including four Australians, are ejected for their part in the brawl.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of eject

Verb

The House of Representatives had just passed the SAVE America Act, a bill that would force people to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and to show photo identification when casting a ballot.

— Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
Sanchez, boosted by voters from Peru’s rural regions, led the race earlier in the count and also won votes cast within the country by a slim margin.

— Reuters, NBC news, 4 July 2026

Definition of cast

Verb

Spontaneous applause erupted — and even some tears were shed — at the battered parking structure where Gil had been entombed since the two temblors struck within seconds of each other on June 24.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Anyone who thinks that the differences between these sects are minor is invited to read about the wars, massacres and persecutions that erupted between them in the 16th and 17th centuries.

— Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of erupt

Verb

Soon-to-be teenager Prince George looked all grown up on a rare mother-son outing with Princess Kate.

— KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, trainer Rick Burkholder, and general manager Brett Veach were outed by their tailor, who went online to brag about fitting their suits.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026

Definition of out

Verb

The 43 rooms are spread across two neighboring heritage mansions in the old fisherman village of Sariyer and radiate Old World elegance in the most understated of ways, letting the intricate moldings and murals steal the show.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 1 July 2026
When P-waves start radiating from the earthquake underground, Android phones sense the vibrations, start collecting data and send it back to Google servers for processing.

— Amy Graff, New York Times, 27 June 2026

Definition of radiate

Verb

And then there were watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests and old fashioned sack races.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
One significant problem, however, is that red dwarfs spit out harmful torrents of radiation in fierce gusts of their stellar winds, which can strip away a planet's atmosphere.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of spit

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“Expel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expel. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of expel

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