ouster

noun

oust·​er ˈau̇-stər How to pronounce ouster (audio)
Synonyms of ousternext
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.
Until late August, however, the country had not been very unified or stable for 15 years, even after the ouster of a dictator in 2024. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026 Khan, 73, led Pakistan to the 1992 Cricket World Cup title and later served as prime minister from 2018 until his ouster in 2022. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes around Syria after the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in late 2024, mainly destroying army assets to keep them out of the hands of his successors. — Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2026 Its grand plans for the bases never fully materialized, especially after the Ukraine invasion and Assad's ouster. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 23 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ouster

noun
oust·​er ˈau̇s-tər How to pronounce ouster (audio)
: the act or an instance of ousting or being ousted

Legal Definition

ouster

noun
oust·​er ˈau̇s-tər How to pronounce ouster (audio)
1
: wrongful dispossession especially of a cotenant
2
: a judgment removing a public officer or depriving a corporation of a public franchise

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