Definition of oustnext

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

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 oust Previous administrations were ousted when spending disagreements came to a head. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 Sarandos and Peters had to address the situation that led to the dramatic decision to oust chief content officer Bela Bajaria and film chief Dan Lin. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 In April the network’s London bureau chief, Claire Day, was ousted after arguments with Weiss over the network’s coverage of the region. — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 After ousting the Venezuelan leader earlier this year, the White House ordered a blockade that choked off fuel shipments to Cuba, leading to severe blackouts, food shortages and an economic collapse across the island. — David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oust
Verb
  • The theme park operator announced the extra safeguard less than two weeks after 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta died after being ejected from his seat on the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
    — Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Where the investigation stands Preliminary information gathered at the scene from witnesses and employees indicated Kariem had been ejected from the ride, the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit said.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • How far might a nation go that had no kings to depose, no entrenched hierarchies to uproot, a country so young and iconoclastic and resource-rich?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, back at the family mansion, her brother and sister scheme to depose their father.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In Spain, housing protests began in September after an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, was evicted following a 230% rent increase by an investment fund.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The land the tribe inhabited before being evicted is now divided among ranchers, government agencies and a conservation nonprofit.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Group chats pulled from Nolan Wells' cellphone show what his friends said before and after the Mississippi teen vanished in early July following a boat outing with friends.
    — Skyler Henry, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bunnie Xo’s post-divorce fun is raising eyebrows after a cozy Waffle House outing with 24-year-old reality star Dylan Wolf sent fans into a frenzy over their age gap.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Elsewhere, long-running demonstrations in Albania and Serbia have focused more on anti-corruption, spiraling into movements seeking to topple each country’s government.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Strong winds toppled trees in Flagstaff and Mesa, with some landing on walls and carports.
    — Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Russian nighttime barrage hit 28 substations and other critical energy facilities, depriving more than a half-million people of electricity, heat and running water, Zelenskyy said on social media.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Disqualifying both lists would have deprived the vast majority of Palestinian voters of their preferred political representation.
    — Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • To help banish the endless procrastination, National Geographic’s 2027 list of 25 must-visit destinations for the year ahead is one of its most timely and experience-driven recommendations yet.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The Industry actress was banished from Season 2 of The Celebrity Traitors last week and has reflected on her experience on the Studio Lambert series in an Instagram post.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The military veteran and former tech executive’s unconventional bid to unseat Risch came with teeth.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Eisenkot’s approach would likely win over more international partners, at least for a time, as did the leaders of two other former military chiefs, Barak and Yitzhak Rabin, who unseated Likud governments.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oust. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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