ouster

noun

oust·​er ˈau̇-stər 
Synonyms of ouster
1
a
: a wrongful dispossession
b
: a judgment removing an officer or depriving a corporation of a franchise
2
: expulsion
the ouster of the dictator

Examples of ouster in a Sentence

The news reported the ouster of the dictator. the dictator's ouster by the rebels
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Earlier this month, the Miss USA pageant faced controversy yet again with the ouster of former Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 Before Venezuela’s deadly earthquakes, a decline in violent crime in Caracas – and a sense of opportunity following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro – had residents exploring their city in new ways. — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 Once worshipped by millions, Khan led the country from 2018 until his ouster in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022. — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Gannon Ken Van Dyke, the soldier who prosecutors say made $400,000 betting on Maduro's ouster, built his position more slowly and is therefore not among the 152 military Orcas identified. — Douglas Gillison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ouster

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French, from oster, ouster to oust

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ouster was in 1531

Browse Nearby Words

oust
ouster
out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ouster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ouster. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ouster

noun
oust·​er ˈau̇s-tər 
: the act or an instance of ousting or being ousted

Legal Definition

ouster

noun
oust·​er ˈau̇s-tər 
1
: wrongful dispossession especially of a cotenant
2
: a judgment removing a public officer or depriving a corporation of a public franchise

More from Merriam-Webster on ouster

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ouster

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