evict

verb

i-ˈvikt 

evicted; evicting; evicts

transitive verb

1

a

: to recover (property) from a person by legal process

b

: to put (a tenant) out by legal process

2

: to force out : expel

eviction

i-ˈvik-shən 

noun

evictor

i-ˈvik-tər 

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for evict

eject, expel, oust, evict mean to drive or force out.

eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

a student expelled from college

oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

police ousted the squatters

evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

evicted for nonpayment of rent

Examples of evict in a Sentence

His landlord has threatened to evict him if he doesn't pay the rent soon.

They were evicted from their apartment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two next-door bars on Bardstown Road have closed after being evicted, according to the property owner of both establishments. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 27 June 2024

The team played the last two seasons in Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat college building on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., after being evicted from what’s now called the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 25 June 2024

But in 2019, Ecuador's government evicted Assange, and British police arrested him on the embassy steps. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 24 June 2024

Johnson alleged that Joiner falsified the paperwork and sent a default notice that led to Johnson’s family being evicted from their multimillion-dollar home. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin evictus, past participle of evincere, from Latin, to vanquish, win a point — more at evince

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

evict

verb

i-ˈvikt 

: to put (a person) out from property by legal action

eviction

-ˈvik-shən 

noun

evictor

-ˈvik-tər 

noun

Legal Definition

evict

transitive verb

i-ˈvikt 

: to put (a tenant) out of property by force, by virtue of a paramount title, or especially by legal process

Etymology

Medieval Latin evictus, past participle of evincere to recover (property) by legal process, from Latin, to vanquish, regain possession of