Ousting: meaning, definitions and examples

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ousting

 

[ˈaʊstɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal

The action of depriving someone of a position of power or authority.

Synonyms

dismissal, expulsion, removal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ousting

Used primarily in political or organizational settings when a person in authority is forcefully removed from their position.

  • The scandal led to the CEO's ousting.
  • His ousting from the board was sudden.
removal

Can be used in a variety of contexts but generally refers to taking someone out of a position or eliminating something from a place.

  • The mayor's removal was seen as a political move.
  • The removal of the old furniture made space for new items.
expulsion

Often relates to being formally removed from an institution (such as a school) or organization due to misconduct or violation of rules.

  • His expulsion from the university was due to plagiarism.
  • The expulsion of the diplomat increased tensions between the two countries.
dismissal

Commonly used in workplace settings when an employee is terminated from their job.

  • Her constant tardiness resulted in her dismissal.
  • The manager faced backlash after the unfair dismissal.

Examples of usage

  • The ousting of the CEO was a result of the company's poor performance.
  • The ousting of the dictator was celebrated by the citizens.
Context #2 | Noun

political

Forcible removal from a position of power or authority.

Synonyms

coup, overthrow, toppling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ousting

Use this word when someone is being removed from a position of power, often in an official or formal manner. It usually doesn't imply violence.

  • The CEO faced ousting after the scandal.
  • They are discussing the ousting of the board member.
overthrow

This term implies removing someone from power, often using force or violence, and is not limited to formal processes.

  • The rebels aimed to overthrow the dictator.
  • The citizens celebrated the overthrow of the corrupt regime.
coup

This word refers to a sudden and often violent takeover of power, typically by a small group. It has a serious and political connotation.

  • The military orchestrated a coup against the government.
  • After the coup, the country was in chaos.
toppling

Use this word to describe the act of causing something or someone in power to fall, often implying instability or imbalance.

  • Protesters played a major role in toppling the government.
  • The statue was toppling after the earthquake.

Examples of usage

  • The ousting of the corrupt official was long overdue.
  • The opposition party demanded the ousting of the prime minister.
Context #3 | Verb

general

Expel from a position or place.

Synonyms

eject, evict, remove.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ousting

Used primarily in formal and political contexts to describe the removal of someone from a position of power or authority.

  • The committee was responsible for ousting the corrupt governor.
  • His ousting from the board came as a shock to everyone.
remove

A general term used in a variety of situations to describe taking something or someone away. Often neutral and doesn't imply force or legal action.

  • She had to remove the stains from the carpet.
  • The CEO was removed from his position after the scandal.
eject

Used in situations where someone or something is forcibly removed from a place, often with a physical implication.

  • The unruly passenger was ejected from the plane.
  • They ejected the intruder from the concert hall.
evict

Used specifically in the context of removing someone from a property or residence, generally involving legal procedures.

  • The landlord decided to evict the tenants for non-payment of rent.
  • They were evicted from their home after failing to comply with the lease agreement.

Examples of usage

  • The board voted to oust the chairman from his position.
  • The landlord threatened to oust the tenants for non-payment of rent.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Old French word 'oster,' meaning to take away or remove.
  • It began being used in English around the 15th century, showing how language evolves over time.
  • The word suggests a strong action, implying forceful removal rather than just a gentle departure.

Political History

  • Ousting often occurs in politics, where leaders may be removed through votes of no confidence or coups.
  • In 1974, the ousting of President Richard Nixon was a significant event in U.S. history that reshaped governmental accountability.
  • The concept of royal ousting has been prevalent in history, with numerous kings and queens being deposed to change power dynamics.

Cultural References

  • The term is frequently seen in news headlines, especially in contexts relating to political figures or corporate leaders.
  • Ousting is a common theme in drama and literature, as characters often face challenges that lead to their removal from power.
  • Television shows about politics often depict ousting, illustrating the struggles and conflicts within leadership.

Psychological Impact

  • Being ousted can lead to feelings of humiliation and loss of identity for the person who is removed.
  • The decision to oust someone can significantly impact team dynamics and morale in workplaces.
  • Research in social psychology shows that social exclusion, like ousting, can have long-lasting emotional effects.

Modern Examples

  • In recent years, several tech CEOs have been ousted due to controversies over company practices or failures.
  • Social media platforms often face pressure to oust users who violate community guidelines, showcasing a modern facet of the term.
  • The term is also used in sports, where coaches and players might be ousted for underperforming or team conflicts.

Translations

Translations of the word "ousting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expulsão

🇮🇳 निकालना

🇩🇪 Absetzung

🇮🇩 pengusiran

🇺🇦 вигнання

🇵🇱 wyrzucenie

🇯🇵 追放 (tsuihō)

🇫🇷 éviction

🇪🇸 expulsión

🇹🇷 kovulma

🇰🇷 추방 (chubang)

🇸🇦 عزل (azl)

🇨🇿 vyhoštění

🇸🇰 vyhostenie

🇨🇳 驱逐 (qūzhú)

🇸🇮 izgon

🇮🇸 brottrekstur

🇰🇿 қуылу

🇬🇪 გაძევება (gadzeveba)

🇦🇿 çıxarılma

🇲🇽 expulsión

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,352, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.