Oust

Definition

Oust is a transitive verb meaning to remove or dispossess someone of a position, right, or property—often by legal action, force, or necessity; it can also mean “to take the place of; supplant.”

Parts of Speech

• Verb (transitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /aʊst/
• Respelling: OWST

British English

• IPA: /aʊst/
• Respelling: OWST

Both varieties commonly rhyme with “joust.”

Etymology

From Anglo-French oster, ouster and Old French oster (Modern French ôter) “to remove, take away,” from Latin obstāre “to stand in the way, hinder” (ob- “against” + stare “to stand”). The legal sense “dispossess, evict” is recorded from the 15th–16th centuries.

Derivatives

• ousted (verb past; also adjectival): removed or displaced.
• ousting (gerund/verb participle; also noun): the act of removing.
• ouster (noun): ejection or dispossession, esp. by legal process; removal from office.
• oustee (noun, chiefly India): a person who has been ousted, esp. from land or residence.

Synonyms

• remove
• depose
• unseat
• displace
• eject
• evict
• expel
• supplant
• drive out
• topple

Antonyms

• appoint
• install
• seat
• retain
• reinstate
• admit

Usage

Typical patterns: “oust someone from office/power/position,” “oust someone as CEO/leader,” “oust jurisdiction.” The verb is commonly used in political, corporate, and legal contexts: “Shareholders ousted the chair,” “The rebels ousted the regime,” “The statute sought to oust the court’s jurisdiction.”

Usage note: Avoid the redundant phrase “oust out.” Oust already entails removal. The verb is normally transitive (“They ousted her”), though passive is frequent (“She was ousted”).

Related Terms

• Ouster: Ejection from property; removal from office (law).
• Ouster clause (privative clause): A legislative clause limiting or excluding judicial review (chiefly in UK and Commonwealth systems).
• Depose / Unseat: Remove from office or dignity.
• Evict: Legally expel from property.
• Supplant: Take the place of.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To remove or dispossess (a person) from office, authority, rights, or property — frequently by legal action, force, or necessity.
  • Example: “The board ousted the CEO after the audit.”
• To take the place of; supplant — especially when one thing replaces another.
  • Example: “Streaming services have ousted traditional rentals.”