oust

[ oust ]

verb (used with object)

1. to expel or remove from a place or position occupied:

   The bouncer ousted the drunk;

   to oust the prime minister in the next election.

   Synonyms: dislodge, evict, banish, eject

2. Law. to eject or evict; dispossess.

oust

/ aʊst /

verb

1. to force out of a position or place; supplant or expel
2. property law to deprive (a person) of the possession of land

Word History and Origins

Origin of oust¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French ouster “to remove,” Old French oster, from Latin obstāre “to stand in the way, oppose” ( ob- ob- + stāre “to stand ”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of oust¹

C16: from Anglo-Norman ouster, from Latin obstāre to withstand, from ob- against + stāre to stand

Example Sentences

The broader goal was to oust Saddam in order to build a beautiful democracy in the Middle East and thereby transform the region.

From The Daily Beast

Two years later, Kansas helped oust Curtis—and Hoover—by voting for Franklin Roosevelt and re-electing McGill.

From The Daily Beast

In 1992 Dostum “defected” to the side of the mujahedin and joined in the battle to take Kabul and oust Najibullah.

From The Daily Beast

The Ukrainian parliament was deciding whether to officially oust President Victor Yanukovych.

From The Daily Beast

Just two weeks ago, Prayuth felt compelled to deny that senior figures in the country had pressured him to oust the government.

From The Daily Beast

Junot already held Portugal; it seemed as if it needed but a vigorous movement to oust the Bourbons from Madrid.

From Project Gutenberg

The nativesʼ anxiety to oust the Spaniards was far stronger than their wish to be under American, or indeed any foreign, control.

From Project Gutenberg

Who would there be who could effectively contest his claim, or oust him from his place?

From Project Gutenberg

Of old time, golden wheat conquered and held possession, and now the grass threatens to oust the conqueror.

From Project Gutenberg

However, the badger is nothing if not persevering, and Stubbs and Grunter decided to make one last effort to oust the invader.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• depose
• dethrone
• dislodge
• drive out
• eject
• evict
• fire
• force out
• let go
• lose
• remove
• sack
• topple
• unseat