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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Synonym Chooser

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 university confirmed to Fox News Digital that Batchigari was expelled on July 22. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Pay parity rules for staff and a ban on expelling students would go by the wayside, too. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 Bernadette tells Stuart and Kripke that she was expelled from the guild for using her powers during the strike to bring her neighbor’s son’s adorable rescue dog Chocolate Chip back to life after he was hit by several cars. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 To protect itself, the coral expels its own algae — a primary food, energy, and oxygen source — and soon loses its color. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expel

Verb

Boone didn’t get to watch the disastrous half-inning from the dugout, as he was ejected in the top of the sixth.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
A week later, on Tuesday, May 19, Southampton were ejected from the play-off final by the EFL’s independent disciplinary commission.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of eject

Verb

As China’s strategic rivalry with the US and its allies deepens, Beijing has broadened its anti-espionage campaign, casting suspicious eyes on foreign ties amid concerns about the leak of state secrets.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Interestingly enough, before Chandler was cast in the role, Josh Brolin was linked with the part.

— Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of cast

Verb

Choose the private repair that helps your nervous system finally exhale and reset your inner pace today.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
Also called square breathing, this four-step method asks children to inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts and hold again for four counts.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhale

Verb

Speaking of Sugar’s caseload, Season 2’s improvements are evident beyond the inevitable advantages of outing him as an alien.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
He was criticized for outing LGBTQ+ stars who hadn’t revealed their sexuality publicly, and for bullying others by mocking their misfortune.

— Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of out

Verb

One of them apparently hooked the fish, but the shark spat out the bait, according to Kohanchi’s account of events in the video.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
When most of us think about edible seeds, our minds usually jump to chia seeds stirred into smoothies or overnight oats, pumpkin seeds roasted after carving jack-o'-lanterns each fall, or sunflower seeds chewed and spit out at a baseball game.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of spit

Verb

Rhaenyra also makes the drastic decision of relieving Mysaria of her duties as master of whispers and banishing her from King’s Landing.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
Sam Roberts, a longtime obituarist for the New York Times, wants to banish the euphemisms that attend death.

— Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of expel

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