oust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "oust" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of removing someone from a position of power or authority. Example: "The board decided to oust the CEO due to poor performance and lack of direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Blatter was said to have spent the weekend since his election victory, following which he blamed attempts to oust him on bitterness from the Americans and English for losing their World Cup bids, listening to pleas to stand down from those closest to him.

The Guardian - Sport

Sources in the party have in recent days accused O'Flynn, Evans and Douglas Carswell, Ukip's only MP, of trying to oust Farage over concerns he would not be the best person to lead a campaign to remove Britain from the European Union.

The Guardian

A post-election protest has been planned to oust David Cameron from power by a group claiming that the Conservatives are planning to "occupy Downing Street" even if they do not win a majority.

The Guardian

Even if – as is likely – the senate votes to oust the 76-year-old, Berlusconi will still not be lacking in support.

The Guardian

But by giving Jega a free hand to play fair, he allowed Jega to craft the weapons that were used to oust him from power.

The Guardian

They prob do exist, but likely only small number of them US provides help to oust #Assad, but not weapons.

The Guardian

A post-election protest has been planned to oust Cameron from power in case he decides to "occupy Downing Street".

The Guardian

Ulster Unionist candidate James Cooper, who lost the Westminster seat by 53 votes to Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew, has begun an action to oust her and have a by-election called.

The Guardian

It put Labour 12 points ahead across 26 battleground constituencies, on 41% to the Tories' 29%, with an average 6.5% swing from the Conservative party to Labour – enough to oust as many as 83 Tory MPs, and secure Labour a healthy Commons majority.

The Guardian

Pakistan's defence minister has flown to Riyadh for talks over whether to join the Saudi-led military campaign to oust the Houthi rebels from Yemen.

The Guardian

There has been an active faction in the state's Congress Party that has long been plotting to oust Chief Minister Deshmukh.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "oust" when you want to convey a sense of forceful or strategic removal from a position of power or influence. It's more impactful than simply saying "remove".

Common error

Don't dilute the impact of your writing by using "remove" or "dismiss" when "oust" is more appropriate. "Oust" implies a deliberate effort to displace someone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "oust" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating who or what is being removed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly in various contexts to describe forceful removal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "oust" is a transitive verb that describes a deliberate and forceful removal from a position of power. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and business contexts. While alternatives like "remove from power" or "depose from office" exist, "oust" carries a stronger connotation of strategic displacement. When using "oust", ensure the context involves a power dynamic and a calculated effort to remove someone from their position.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove from power

This alternative emphasizes the act of taking away someone's authority or control.

force out of power

Highlights the element of coercion or pressure in the removal.

drive out of office

Suggests a forceful and potentially hostile removal.

depose from office

This phrase is more formal and often used in political contexts.

remove from leadership

Less emphatic than "oust", simply means to take away leadership.

unseat from leadership

Specifies removal from a leadership role, often in a formal setting.

expel from position

Focuses on forcing someone out of a specific role or job.

displace from authority

Indicates that someone is taking the place of another in a position of authority.

get rid of

A more informal and general way to express removal.

kick out

This is a very informal alternative meaning to expel.

FAQs

How is "oust" typically used in a sentence?

The verb "oust" is typically used to describe the forceful removal of someone from a position of power or authority. For example, "The board decided to oust the CEO after the scandal".

What can I say instead of "oust"?

You can use alternatives like "remove from power", "depose from office", or "expel from position" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "oust" in a formal context?

Yes, "oust" is suitable for formal contexts, especially when describing political or corporate situations. It conveys a deliberate and forceful removal.

What is the difference between "oust" and "remove"?

"Remove" is a general term for taking something away, while "oust" specifically implies a forceful or strategic removal from a position of power. Oust has a more pointed connotation than remove.