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 Kamin Jan, a former interior ministry employee deported from Iran, was shot dead in Takhar province in October 2025, just weeks after he was expelled from Iran. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026 Despite having been expelled from the House of Representatives, Santos and all former lawmakers retain the right to appear on the floor of the House. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 Santos was the Congressman for New York’s 3rd District in the House of Representatives before being expelled from the chamber in 2023. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 The attorney general's office on Thursday formally charged Fernando Farias, a high-ranking officer who was expelled last week from Argentina, with fuel smuggling. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expel

Verb

Plate umpire Alan Porter tossed Vitello and first-base ump Jim Wolf ejected Webb, who was not pitching Friday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Days later, a former NBA player who has used the WNBA as a vehicle for anti-trans advocacy was ejected from a Chicago Sky game, after engaging in an altercation with team guard Natasha Cloud.

— Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of eject

Verb

The referendum campaign has fueled debate about Iceland’s place in the world, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters after casting her ballot in the capital on Saturday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
The Holocaust monument took Treister five years to design and sculpt, and included research in Jerusalem and work in Taiwan and Mexico City, where his sculptures were cast.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of cast

Verb

One person was killed and at least 14 others were injured after gunfire erupted at a large gathering at a park on Chicago's South Side while police were attempting to disperse the crowd, authorities said.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
But weeks later, Miller, like the rest of us, watched from afar as Kabul fell and chaos erupted.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of erupt

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

Co-owner John Mara is battling cancer, and co-owner Steve Tisch is laying low after being outed in the Epstein Files.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026
Then the rest of the game occurred, a 20-12 victory in which Ty Simpson emerged with arguably the best rookie quarterback outing across the league over the weekend.

— Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of out

Verb

This fall, hair trends are all about natural-looking, dimensional blondes that radiate understated luxury.

— Kat Suico, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
Youth and parents linked their loss of care to spikes in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, with stress radiating through entire families.

— Dr. SJ Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of radiate

Verb

Anthony DeVore downed his shot like water, while his wife Savanna DeVore spit out most of hers.

— Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
As the Giants drove into the red zone, Beckham even walked over to right tackle Marcus Mbow and appeared to ask the offensive lineman to spit into the receiver’s gloves to create some stick.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of spit

Verb

The Legislature passed late Sunday a bill that would banish lobbyists convicted of corruption from the Capitol for 12 years.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Any doubts over whether that deal would be concluded would have been banished as soon as Riad was taken off.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of banish

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“Expel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expel. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of expel

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