Oust: Forcibly Removing from Power
Explore the powerful verb ‘oust’ and how it can be used to describe the forcible removal of someone from a position of power or authority. Learn the meaning, synonyms, antonyms, and proper usage of this impactful word to enhance your GRE vocabulary.
Imagine you’re watching a thrilling political drama where a long-standing leader is suddenly removed from power.
That act of forcibly removing someone from a position is exactly what our word of the day, oust, means.
Let’s dive into this powerful verb and see how it can boost your GRE vocabulary.
Word type: Oust is a verb, pronounced as owst.
Meaning: Oust means to force someone out of a position, place, or situation, especially one of power or authority.
It implies a decisive and often forceful removal or expulsion.
Word history: The word oust has an interesting etymology.
It comes from the Anglo-French word ouster, meaning to remove or to drive out. This, in turn, derives from the Latin obstare, which means to stand in the way of or to hinder.
Over time, the meaning evolved to focus specifically on the act of forcing someone out of a position or place.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for oust include expel, eject, remove, depose, and supplant. Each of these words carries a slightly different connotation, but they all involve the idea of forcibly removing someone from a position or place.
Antonyms: Antonyms of oust include install, establish, maintain, and retain. These words represent the opposite action of keeping someone in a position rather than removing them.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples to see how oust is used in context. The board of directors voted to oust the CEO after a series of financial scandals.
The incumbent president was ousted in a surprise election result that shocked political analysts. The new technology quickly ousted its outdated predecessors from the market.
Protesters demanded that corrupt officials be ousted from their positions of power. Common errors in use: One common mistake when using oust is confusing it with oust out.
Oust already implies removal, so saying oust out is redundant. Simply say The committee ousted the chairperson, not The committee ousted out the chairperson.
Another error is using oust for voluntary departures. Oust specifically implies forced removal, so it would be incorrect to say She ousted herself from the company.
Instead, you could say She resigned from the company or She left the company voluntarily. To wrap up, oust is a potent word that paints a vivid picture of forced removal from a position or place.
Whether you’re describing political upheavals, corporate shake-ups, or even the displacement of old technologies, oust adds precision and impact to your vocabulary.
Remember its forceful nature, use it confidently in your writing and speech, and watch how it can elevate your language skills for the GRE and beyond.
