Practice Oust with Flashcards, Spelling and Quizzes

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What does oust mean?

To forcefully remove or expel someone from a position of authority, power, or possession, often as a result of a legal or political action.
"The rebels tried to oust the dictator from power."

Detailed Meaning of Oust

When individuals or groups oust someone, they effectively push them out of their current role, position, or property, often to replace them with someone else. Ousting typically implies a degree of opposition, and it can occur in various contexts, such as politics, business, or personal affairs. For example, a political leader may be ousted from office through a vote of no confidence or an election, a company's board of directors might oust a CEO due to performance issues, or a landlord may attempt to oust a tenant through eviction proceedings. "Oust" underscores the idea of a forceful and often legal removal from a position or property.

Example Sentences for Oust

1. The shareholders planned to oust the CEO due to financial mismanagement.
2. The coup attempt aimed to oust the country's president from power.
3. The board of directors decided to oust the underperforming manager.
4. The team members conspired to oust their coach in order to bring in a new one.
5. The protesters demanded to oust the corrupt politician from office.
6. The employees organized a strike to oust the unfair employer.

Origin and Etymology of Oust

The verb 'oust' has its origins in the Old French word 'ouster,' which was derived from the Latin word 'ulstare,' meaning 'to push or thrust out.' This Latin root, 'ulstare,' is related to the even older Latin term 'ullus,' which means 'outside' or 'out.' Consequently, 'oust' retains the sense of forcefully removing or expelling someone from a position of authority, power, or possession, often as a result of a legal or political action. It conveys the idea of pushing or thrusting someone out of a position, highlighting the abrupt and often forceful nature of such actions. The etymology of 'oust' reflects the historical evolution of language, where words originating from Latin and Old French have contributed to the rich vocabulary of English, capturing nuances of meaning and action.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb oust:

appoint

expel

induct

install

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More Usage Examples of Oust

1. The opposition party vowed to oust the ruling party in the upcoming elections.
2. The rebel forces fought to oust the oppressive regime.
3. The shareholders united to oust the executive who embezzled funds.
4. The student body called for a vote of no confidence to oust the student council president.
5. The revolution aimed to oust the monarch and establish a democratic government.
6. The committee decided to oust the member who violated the organization's code of conduct.
7. The activist group launched a campaign to oust the company involved in environmental destruction.
8. The partners conspired to oust their untrustworthy business associate.
9. The citizens staged protests to oust the corrupt mayor.
10. The members of the club initiated a motion to oust the ineffective committee chairperson.
11. The military coup successfully ousted the democratically elected government.
12. The employees held a vote to oust their oppressive supervisor.
13. The shareholders met to discuss a strategy to oust the board of directors.
14. The residents organized a petition to oust the landlord who neglected their housing needs.