oust
UK: aʊst | US: aʊst
vt. to force someone out of a position or place, especially through legal or official means
vt. to remove or expel someone from a property or role
The word "oust" originates from the Old French verb oster (modern French ôter), meaning "to take away" or "to remove." It entered Middle English in the 14th century with the same sense of expulsion or dispossession. The term has retained its core meaning of forcibly removing someone from a position, property, or power, often through legal or authoritative action. Its concise form and direct semantic lineage make it a vivid example of a borrowed term that preserved its original force.
The shareholders voted to oust the CEO due to financial mismanagement.
The rebels attempted to oust the dictator from power.
The landlord sought to oust the tenants for violating the lease agreement.
New evidence could oust the long-held theory in scientific circles.
The board moved swiftly to oust the corrupt official.