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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 In March 2025, a panel of staff and faculty at Cornell moved to expel or suspend some of the men. — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026 Each lancet carries a flexible valve that moves within an enlarged chamber, or bulb, where venom collects before being expelled. — Mike McRae 12, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026 Jets of dust were expelled from the nucleus with explosive intensity. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Two students were expelled, and two received lengthy suspensions. — Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expel

Verb

Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle onto the road, according to the crash log.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Then, safety Zechariah Poyser was ejected for targeting on FSU quarterback Ashton Daniels.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of eject

Verb

Because of its proportional representation system – voters cast one vote for a national party-list – even the largest parties rarely win more than 35 seats, and Israel has always had coalition governments.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
The glare cast by the 74%-lit waxing gibbous moon will hide fainter shooting stars for much of the night.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of cast

Verb

Still, when the measles outbreak erupted, Bangladesh responded swiftly and initially seemed to be winning the battle.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Multiple people were killed and dozens more were injured when an explosion erupted at a Canadian military base, according to authorities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 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

Group chats pulled from Nolan Wells' cellphone show what his friends said before and after the Mississippi teen vanished in early July following a boat outing with friends.

— Skyler Henry, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of out

Verb

Some kids come into this life and catch all the breaks and start making money and going places and radiating confidence and functionality and the world opens right up to them.

— George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
For plants rooted in the ground, cover them with frost cloths, blankets, or tarps to trap the heat radiating from the soil.

— Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of radiate

Verb

After between 30 to 45 seconds with Packard in his mouth, the whale had risen to the surface and spat him out, sending him flying through the air in a massive spray that was witnessed by his crewmate and another nearby mariner.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Ziwig’s new Endotest makes diagnosis as easy as spitting into a tube.

— Hannah Singleton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of spit

Verb

The Industry actress was banished from Season 2 of The Celebrity Traitors last week and has reflected on her experience on the Studio Lambert series in an Instagram post.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
At that point, the group had botched its first two votes, mistakenly banishing two female faithfuls.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of banish

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“Expel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expel. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of expel

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