unseat

[ uhn-seet ]

verb (used with object)

1. to dislodge from a seat, especially to throw from a saddle, as a rider; unhorse.
2. to remove from political office by an elective process, by force, or by legal action:

   The corrupt mayor was finally unseated.

unseat

/ ʌnˈsiːt /

verb

1. to throw or displace from a seat, saddle, etc
2. to depose from office or position

Word History and Origins

Origin of unseat¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ² + seat

Example Sentences

That covers just a handful of Republicans, most of whom unseated Democrats in 2020, all of whom were in expensive races.

From Washington Post

Signal, once a niche messaging service for the privacy-minded, is currently the most downloaded app in the United States, unseating perennially popular social media and gaming apps.

From Vox

In the process, Musk unseated rival Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon who held the world’s richest person position since 2017.

From TechCrunch

From 1986 to this year’s election — a period that covered hundreds of judges’ races — only nine outside challengers have unseated incumbent, appointed judges, according to Maryland’s Administrative Office of the Courts.

From Washington Post

Which means Ossoff and Warnock will get another chance to unseat these two Senate Republicans in a little under two months.

From Washington Post

Their first attempt to unseat the House speaker failed miserably, so why not try again?

From The Daily Beast

But is it enough to unseat London as the fashion week to watch?

From The Daily Beast

In Massachusetts, Baker is making his second bid for office after failing to unseat Gov. Deval Patrick in 2010.

From The Daily Beast

The state GOP was desperate to unseat him in its effort to take control of the legislature.

From The Daily Beast

Hofstra added that the episode has only added fuel to Tea Partiers looking to unseat the senator.

From The Daily Beast

My two big toes placed simultaneously over both his optics caused a halt so abrupt as almost to unseat me.

From Project Gutenberg

In response he first plunged violently, then kicked, then reared, finally slewing round so quickly as nearly to unseat me.

From Project Gutenberg

The winged horse snorted, and shook with anger, and tried to unseat his rider by every258 trick known to equine ingenuity.

From Project Gutenberg

Roger's fat horse no longer tried to unseat its rider or its pack, but seemed to be the most downhearted of the train.

From Project Gutenberg

To give Tom, Dick and Harry the power to unseat these monarchs at will is said to be dangerously socialistic; and possibly it is.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• depose
• dethrone
• replace
• upset