Ouster vs. Ousting — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 22, 2024
"Ouster" refers to the act of removal from a position, often forcibly, while "ousting" is the process or action of removing someone.
Difference Between Ouster and Ousting
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ouster refers to the result or condition of being removed from a position or office, often in a forceful or abrupt manner. Whereas, ousting describes the ongoing process or action involved in forcibly removing someone from a position.
While ouster is a noun that encapsulates the state or consequence of being removed, ousting, also a noun, focuses more on the dynamic process of the removal itself. This highlights the difference in perspective between the result (ouster) and the action (ousting).
Ouster is often used in legal, political, or organizational contexts to describe the fact of displacement from a role or function. On the other hand, ousting is frequently used to describe the act as it happens, emphasizing the actions and movements involved.
In discussions, referring to an "ouster" typically implies that the removal has already been completed and is an established fact. Conversely, discussing an "ousting" suggests that the process may still be ongoing or very recent, with focus on the dynamics of the removal.
Both terms share a common base in the verb "oust," but their usages differ significantly in tone and focus: ouster as a finality, and ousting as an action.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun (result)
Noun (process)
Usage Context
Legal, political, organizational
Descriptive of the action
Temporal Focus
Post-event
During or immediately after event
Connotation
Finality of removal
Action of removing
Common Phrases
"His ouster was unexpected."
"The ousting of the CEO was controversial."
Compare with Definitions
Ouster
Forcible or abrupt displacement.
The general faced ouster after the failed coup.
Ousting
The act of ejecting someone from power.
The ousting of the director was due to financial misconduct.
Ouster
Legal term for dispossession.
The court ruled that the ouster from the property was unlawful.
Ousting
Process of forcibly removing someone.
The ousting process took several contentious board meetings.
Ouster
Expulsion from a position or place.
The ouster of the tenant was due to repeated lease violations.
Ousting
Execution of expulsion.
The ousting from office was publicly demanded by protesters.
Ouster
Conclusion of office or status.
The ouster of the old regime marked a new era.
Ousting
Action leading to displacement.
The ousting of the manager was imminent after the scandal.
Ouster
The act of removal from power.
The board’s decision led to the chairman’s ouster.
Ousting
Removal from a position with force.
The swift ousting of the rebel leaders stabilized the situation.
Ouster
The act of ejecting, forcing out, or supplanting.
Ousting
To eject from a position or place; force out
"the American Revolution, which ousted the English" (Virginia S. Eifert).
Ouster
The state of being ejected, forced out, or supplanted.
Ousting
(Law) To effect an ouster of (a party) from a property.
Ouster
One that ejects, forces out, or supplants another.
Ousting
Present participle of oust
Ouster
(Law) The wrongful exclusion or dispossession of one from real property to which one is entitled by law.
Ousting
The act by which somebody is ousted.
Ouster
(historical) A putting out of possession; dispossession; ejection.
Ousting
The act of ejecting someone or forcing them out; ouster.
Ouster
(property law) Action by a cotenant that prevents another cotenant from enjoying the use of jointly owned property.
Ousting
The act of ejecting someone or forcing them out
Ouster
Specifically, the forceful removal of a politician or regime from power; coup.
Ouster
(UK) Someone who ousts.
Ouster
To oust.
Ouster
A putting out of possession; dispossession; disseizin; - of a person.
Ouster of the freehold is effected by abatement, intrusion, disseizin, discontinuance, or deforcement.
Ouster
Expulsion; ejection; as, his misbehavior caused his ouster from the party; - of a person, from a place or group.
Ouster
A person who ousts or supplants someone else
Ouster
A wrongful dispossession
Ouster
The act of ejecting someone or forcing them out
Common Curiosities
What is "ousting"?
Ousting is the process or action of removing someone from a position, emphasizing the dynamics of the removal.
What contexts are "ouster" and "ousting" typically used in?
"Ouster" is often used in formal contexts such as legal or political discussions, while "ousting" is more broadly used to describe the act of removal.
Can "ouster" and "ousting" be used interchangeably?
While related, they are not interchangeable; "ouster" refers to the outcome, and "ousting" to the process.
What is the grammatical difference between "ouster" and "ousting"?
Both are nouns; "ouster" denotes a state or condition resulting from being ousted, and "ousting" focuses on the action itself.
What does "ouster" mean?
Ouster refers to the result of being removed from a position or office, particularly in a forceful or abrupt way.
How should one report an "ouster" in a news article?
Report an "ouster" by focusing on the facts and implications of the removal, treating it as a completed action.
Is "ousting" always a negative term?
While often associated with negative situations, "ousting" can be viewed as necessary or positive, depending on the context.
What are the implications of an "ouster"?
An ouster typically implies a significant change in power or control within an organization or government.
How does "ouster" relate to legal terminology?
In legal terms, "ouster" can refer to the act of dispossession or denial of access to property.
What impact does an "ousting" have on an organization?
An "ousting" can destabilize an organization temporarily but might also lead to renewed leadership and strategies.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
