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

Not many firms are looking to unseat the S&P 500 or displace the Bloomberg terminal.

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The 2011 uprising that aimed to unseat Assad, and his violent response over the next decade and a half, left half a million dead.

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Even with U.S. warships offshore, the strongman has prevailed in efforts to unseat him—purging, spying and paying off officers so the armed forces remain loyal.

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His extraordinary demand to unseat an allied government in wartime alienated pro-Israel voters while buying him no credibility with the left.

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Or they could be scrambling to sneak into the playoffs, having been unseated by a couple of teams that few anticipated holding the best records in the NFL.

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Related Words

• depose 
• dethrone 
• replace 
• upset