ousted
C1Formal/News
Definition
Meaning
Removed from a position of power or office, especially by force or effort.
Expelled, ejected, or forced out from any place, role, or possession.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a forced removal, often after a struggle or contest. Typically used in political, corporate, or competitive contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use identically.
Connotations
Strongly associated with political upheaval, boardroom coups, and sporting defeats.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US political journalism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
oust + OBJECToust + OBJECT + from + POSITION/PLACEbe ousted + as + ROLEVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “given the boot”
- “shown the door”
- “voted off the island”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The CEO was ousted by the board following the scandal.
Academic
The theory was ousted by new empirical evidence.
Everyday
Our team was ousted from the tournament in the first round.
Technical
The incumbent software was ousted by a more efficient open-source alternative.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Shareholders moved to oust the entire board.
- He was ousted as party leader after the vote of no confidence.
American English
- The rebels ousted the dictator from power.
- The new update ousted the older version from most devices.
adjective
British English
- The ousted prime minister gave a defiant speech.
- Ousted executives often receive substantial payoffs.
American English
- The ousted coach quickly found a new job.
- She interviewed the ousted mayor for her podcast.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The manager was ousted after the team lost five games.
- They ousted him from the club because he broke the rules.
- The incumbent was narrowly ousted in the recent election.
- New evidence ousted the old theory from scientific discourse.
- The board ousted the founder in a hostile coup, citing strategic differences.
- He was unceremoniously ousted from his position as chairman amidst the corruption investigation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MOUSE being chased OUT. OUSTED = forced OUT like a pest.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICS/COMPETITION IS WAR (a battle to remove an opponent from their stronghold).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from "удалённый" (remote/deleted) or "вытесненный" (displaced). "Ousted" is more forceful and specific to positions of power. Closer to "свергнутый".
Common Mistakes
- He ousted from the company (incorrect preposition). Correct: He was ousted FROM the company.
- Using 'ousted' for peaceful retirement: "The retiring manager was ousted." (Incorrect; implies force).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ousted' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently, but it usually is from the perspective of the person removed. It can be positive from the perspective of those doing the ousting (e.g., ousting a tyrant).
Yes, metaphorically. For example, "Smartphones ousted traditional mobile phones from the market."
'Fired' is general termination of employment. 'Ousted' implies removal from a position of power, authority, or privilege, often implying a struggle or contest.
It is formal and common in news, political, and business writing. In casual speech, 'kicked out' or 'thrown out' are more common.
Explore