ousted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ousted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to remove from office or to expel from a position. For example, "The leader of the organization was ousted after accusations of corruption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amy Pascal, recently ousted as Sony's co-chairwoman, told a conference it was up to women, not studios, to demand their worth.

The Guardian - Film

Buhari, who was the petroleum affairs minister in the 1970s, ousted the elected president Shehu Shagari on New Year's Eve in 1983 and ruled a military government until 27 August 1985.

The Guardian

Militants have waged an insurgency in the Sinai peninsular since Morsi was ousted, killing more than 100 police officers and soldiers.

The Guardian

His complaint was that the Thatcherites who so brilliantly ousted him from the leadership in 1975, never accorded him the courtesies to which an ex-leader and premier was entitled.

The Guardian

At the last election in 2010, Cameron – the first Tory leader since the 1960s to be educated at Eton college and Oxford University, an upper-class combination somewhat comparable to the Ivy League – successfully ousted Labour after 13 years of Blair and then Gordon Brown, but his 306 seats to Labour's 258 left him 20 short of an outright majority.

The Guardian

Seven of Morsi's co-defendants chanted against the army who ousted him, local journalists shouted for his execution, and scuffles broke out between rival lawyers.

The Guardian

Less than a year later, Gillard had been ousted as Labor leader by Kevin Rudd, and Abbott had taken over as leader of a new coalition government, appointing only one woman to his cabinet.

The Guardian

Related: Desperate Syrian refugees risk all in bid to reach Europe | Patrick Kingsley But after the Egyptian administration changed in July 2013, the climate soured, as Syrians were wrongly perceived to have sided with the ousted government.

The Guardian

Sean Parker had been quietly, hurtfully ousted from the company after an email was unearthed in which he referred to file-sharers as pirates, something Napster's lawyers were always careful to deny.

The Guardian - Music

The school trended on Twitter on Tuesday morning, with many users suggesting that Tomlinson should take over as education secretary after Michael Gove was ousted in the reshuffle.

The Guardian

Many members of Yemen's ousted government, including President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, fled to Saudi Arabia to escape a conflict that has killed as many as 2,000 people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ousted" when you want to emphasize the act of forceful or decisive removal from a position, often due to conflict or disagreement. It is appropriate in formal and informal writing.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "ousted" with similar verbs like "removed" or "dismissed". "Ousted" implies a more forceful or contentious removal, whereas "removed" can be more neutral, and "dismissed" specifically relates to employment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ousted" is as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of the verb "oust". It describes the action of removing someone from a position of power or authority. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ousted" is a verb form meaning to remove someone from a position of power, often in a forceful or contentious manner. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's important to consider the nuance compared to similar verbs like "removed" or "dismissed". When writing, use "ousted" when you want to emphasize the decisive act of removal. Avoid confusing it with terms that may imply a more neutral action. The word's frequency and usage across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist attest to its widespread acceptance and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

removed from power

This phrase directly indicates the removal of someone from a position of authority.

deposed

Implies a more formal or forceful removal, often from a high-ranking position.

forced out

Suggests external pressure leading to someone's departure.

dismissed

Implies a formal termination of employment or position.

unseated

Specifically refers to removal from a seated position, often in a political or competitive context.

expelled

Indicates a forceful removal from a group or organization.

overthrown

Suggests a violent or revolutionary removal from power.

booted out

An informal way of saying someone was kicked out, removed abruptly.

displaced

Highlights the act of being moved out of a location or position.

replaced

Focuses on the act of being substituted by another.

FAQs

What does "ousted" mean?

"Ousted" means to remove someone from a position of power, authority, or influence, often through forceful or decisive action. It implies a displacement or expulsion.

What can I say instead of "ousted"?

You can use alternatives like "removed from power", "deposed", or "forced out" depending on the specific context.

Is "ousted" formal or informal?

"Ousted" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it carries a slightly stronger connotation than a simple word like "removed".

How to use "ousted" in a sentence?

Example: The CEO was "ousted" by the board of directors after the company's financial losses became public.