Synonyms

unseat

American

[uhn-seet] / ʌnˈsit /

verb (used with object)

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

The corrupt mayor was finally unseated.

unseat British

/ ʌnˈsiːt /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unseat

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bennett, a Democrat, is running in a competitive race to unseat Republican Thomas Kean Jr. in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District.

From Salon

In the other five City Council races, challengers will try to unseat incumbents.

From Los Angeles Times

While many US allies are warning that trying to unseat Iran's leadership carries huge risks for the region, many in Israel see potential benefits for their security.

From BBC

Her father, a former Los Angeles Unified schools superintendent, is among the challengers seeking to unseat Mayor Karen Bass in the June 2 primary.

From Los Angeles Times

Beijing’s announcement on Saturday that it was investigating Gen. Zhang Youxia, Xi’s highest-ranking military deputy, for alleged misconduct extended a seismic shake-up of the Chinese military leadership that has already unseated dozens of senior commanders.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023