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.

He has gone from a rank outsider to the man who is widely expected to unseat Orban.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Does he hope the people rise up and unseat the new leader?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

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

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

Beutner, a former Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent, is the best known of the challengers seeking to unseat Mayor Karen Bass in the June 2 election.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

I remember being small and looking up, wondering if the rumble could unseat the heavens.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

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