unseat

verb

un·​seat ˌən-ˈsēt How to pronounce unseat (audio)
unseated; unseating; unseats
Synonyms of unseatnext

transitive verb

1
: to dislodge from one's seat especially on horseback
2
: to remove from a place or position
especially : to remove from political office

Synonyms of unseat

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Examples of unseat in a Sentence

He unseated an incumbent senator. The horse bucked and unseated its rider.
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.
Like many who were taken to Tuol Sleng, Bou Meng had joined the Khmer Rouge in its war from 1970–75 to unseat a pro-American government, but was detained in one of its many internal purges after victory. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 Maine’s race to elect its next senator has emerged as one of the marquee races of the 2026 midterm cycle, as Democrats seek to unseat Collins. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026 Democratic socialist candidates have unseated more moderate incumbents in primaries in Colorado, Michigan and New York while condemning actions by the state of Israel. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 California Democrats are making an aggressive push to unseat Castillo from the Assembly in the November election, Politico reported. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unseat

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unseat was in 1596

Rhymes for unseat

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Browse Nearby Words

unseasoned
unseat
unseaworthiness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unseat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unseat. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unseat

verb
un·​seat ˌən-ˈsēt How to pronounce unseat (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to throw from one's seat especially on horseback
2
: to remove from a place or position
especially : to remove from political office

More from Merriam-Webster on unseat

Nglish: Translation of unseat for Spanish Speakers

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