verb
oust
owst
verb
1
To force someone out of a position of power or place, often against their will.
"The board voted to oust the chief executive after months of controversy."
"Rebels ousted the government in a swift coup."
How to Use Oust
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo kick someone out of a job, office, or position of control.
When to use it
Common in news reporting about politics and business.
Common pairings
oust a leader
oust from power
oust the president
Word Forms
ousted past tense, ousts singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “oust”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The board voted to _____ the chief executive after months of controversy.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman ouster, ultimately from a Latin verb meaning "to obstruct" or "stand in the way of" — despite appearances, it is not related to the word "out."