defenestrate

[dee-fen-uh-streyt]

verb (used with object)

defenestrated, defenestrating 

1. to throw (a person or thing) out of a window.

   A Portuguese bishop, accused of conspiring with the leaders of Castile, was defenestrated from the north tower of Lisbon's cathedral in 1383.

2. to suddenly remove (a person) from an important position or office.

   The chief executive was defenestrated after a corruption investigation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of defenestrate¹

First recorded in 1900–05; back formation from defenestration ( def. )

Example Sentences

This is where the news business has been heading, and where all those defenestrated newscasters I’ve mentioned already are.

From Salon

Today's Changing of the Guard comes at a time when the Trump administration has not just tweaked but defenestrated most assumptions around US-European security that have held fast for 80 years.

From BBC

Whether it’s true that Democrats are better at sticking together than Republicans is debatable, particularly given that, not too long ago, the Democratic Party defenestrated a sitting president seeking reelection.

From Los Angeles Times

Asking conservatives who dislike Trump — and there are millions — to simultaneously defenestrate their party’s nominee, their party and their principles is too much.

From Los Angeles Times

The Democratic Party did indeed defenestrate its notional leader, at nearly the last possible instant and in dramatically successful fashion.

From Salon