depose

American  

[dih-pohz] / dɪˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object)

deposed, deposing

1. to remove from office or position, especially high office.

   The people deposed the dictator.

2. to testify or affirm under oath, especially in a written statement.

   to depose that it was true.

3. Law. to take the deposition of; examine under oath.

   Two lawyers deposed the witness.

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verb (used without object)

deposed, deposing

1. to give sworn testimony, especially in writing.

depose British  

/ dɪˈpəʊz /

verb

1. (tr) to remove from an office or position, esp one of power or rank

2. law to testify or give (evidence, etc) on oath, esp when taken down in writing; make a deposition

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Other Word Forms

• deposable adjective
• deposer noun
• undeposable adjective

Etymology

Origin of depose

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English deposen, from Old French deposer “to put down,” equivalent to de- de- + poser, from unattested Vulgar Latin posāre, Late Latin pausāre; pose ¹

Example Sentences

Sadie Weldon, a private citizen, sought to depose the Lilith Fund’s deputy director using a special Texas mechanism called a 202 petition that allows people to investigate a potential claim before filing suit.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2026

The green card holder was deployed to Panama in 1989 as the U.S. tried to depose the nation’s de facto leader, Gen. Manuel Noriega.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

Bush sent troops in 1989 to depose and arrest the president of Panama, Manuel Noriega.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

The top generals - Hemedti among them - met and decided to depose Bashir instead.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

Sabata was opposed to the Bantu Authorities and would not capitulate, but my visitors were afraid that Matanzima would depose him, which is eventually what happened.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• demote
• dethrone
• dismiss
• impeach
• overthrow
• unseat