oust

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To remove someone from a position of power or authority, often by force or pressure and against their wishes.

   Grammar: Takes an object, often with from: oust a leader from office.

   Patterns

   • oust someone from something
   • oust someone as something

   Shareholders voted to oust the chairman.

   Rebel officers ousted the president in a coup.

   She was ousted as party leader after the scandal.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To drive out or replace someone or something from a place or position of importance.

   Grammar: Often used for things as well as people: ousted by newer models.

   Patterns

   • oust something from somewhere

   Streaming has ousted DVDs from most living rooms.

   The new champion ousted the veteran from the top spot.

   Squatters were ousted from the empty building.

Word forms

Common combinations

oust a leader

The army moved to oust the leader.

oust from office

Voters hope to oust him from office.

oust a rival

He plotted to oust his rival.

be ousted as

She was ousted as chief executive.

ousted by

The old brand was ousted by cheaper competitors.

Synonyms and how they differ

depose

Depose is more formal and is mostly used for monarchs or rulers, while oust works for any job.

topple

Topple suggests bringing down a powerful government or figure dramatically.

expel

Expel means formally forcing someone out of a group or school, usually by rules.

displace

Displace is neutral and need not involve conflict, while oust implies a struggle.

Opposites

Word family

ouster noun

the act of forcing someone out

ousted adjective

removed from a position

ousting noun

the removal of someone from power

Commonly confused: oust or ghost?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “oust”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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