EXPEL Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'expel' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expel are eject , evict , and oust . While all these words mean "to drive or force out," expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical. // a student expelled from college

Q: When would 'eject' be a good substitute for 'expel'?

While the synonyms eject and expel are close in meaning, eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action. // ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

Q: When could 'evict' be used to replace 'expel'?

The words evict and expel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home. // evicted for nonpayment of rent

Q: When is it sensible to use 'oust' instead of 'expel'?

While in some cases nearly identical to expel , oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion. // police ousted the squatters

expel

verb

ik-ˈspel

Definition of expel

as in to eject

to drive or force out animal lover though I am, I was determined to expel the uninvited mouse from my room

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cast

to throw or give off something in a wastebasket was expelling a foul odor

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as in to erupt

to violently throw out or off (something from within) ringing and flashing madly, the slot machine expelled a bucketful of quarters

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as in to exhale

to let or force out of the lungs asked the patient to expel a deep breath

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How does the verb expel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expel are eject, evict, and oust. While all these words mean "to drive or force out," expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

When would eject be a good substitute for expel?

While the synonyms eject and expel are close in meaning, eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

When could evict be used to replace expel?

The words evict and expel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

When is it sensible to use oust instead of expel?

While in some cases nearly identical to expel, oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of expel The Cornell Daily Sun reported that Newell and the other named accused Matthew Ingalls were expelled from the university. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 The deadline passed; Bury never played the game, and the team was expelled from the league. — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026 That same year, 306 preschoolers were expelled, with Black students and those with disabilities receiving the harshest punishments. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 After the university’s investigation, two of the seven fraternity members were expelled from campus, two were suspended, two received no-contact orders, and one was banned from campus, according to the New York Times. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expel

Verb

Wilson was neither ejected from the game nor subject to further discipline afterward.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
The 15 people who remained in the wagon were all ejected, while the driver was pinned underneath the tractor and dragged several yards, the sheriff's office said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of eject

Verb

The story centers on Willow and Annika Lim, Chinese Australian sisters who are left their late mother’s casting agency with a catch attached.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
As part of the panel, co-showrunners and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau introduced a new clip teasing the second season, alongside series cast members Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Bella Shepard, Karim Diané and Robert Picardo.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of cast

Verb

Those remarks came as a new controversy erupted in Israel over the official record of Netanyahu's actions on the morning of the attack.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
In the Prime Video limited series, set 50 years after Blade Runner 2049, the simmering conflict between the artificial beings, known as Replicants, and humans has erupted into outright war, and humans lost.

— Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of erupt

Verb

Jeff Dean / Getty Images When Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow fumbled late in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh exhaled with a 30-27 win over a division rival.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
No one exhaled until the cargo was unloaded, unswaddled, and confirmed to be in one piece.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of exhale

Verb

Bunnie Xo’s post-divorce fun is raising eyebrows after a cozy Waffle House outing with 24-year-old reality star Dylan Wolf sent fans into a frenzy over their age gap.

— Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian stepped out for a very rare family outing with their two daughters.

— Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of out

Verb

The surrounding countryside, by comparison, was littered with large numbers of trees that were toppled as the shock waves produced by the exploding asteroid high above radiated downward.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The film’s focus on the strange and unprecedented power dynamics in an industry that’s hurtling forward at all costs radiated off-screen as well.

— Hayden Field, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of radiate

Verb

Altman isn’t the only big name who gets chewed up and spit out by Guadagnino’s dark satire.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026
Police said the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Billy Applegate III, later tried to kick and spit on officers while being taken to the hospital after the crash.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of spit

Verb

Shortly after King Charles stripped him of his titles and banished him from his home at Royal Lodge, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in office.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
Drake Baldwin banished any fears of a sophomore slump by having his first All-Star season.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of banish

Cite this Entry

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“Expel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expel. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of expel

verb

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