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expel

verb
ex·​pel | \ ik-ˈspel How to pronounce expel (audio) \
expelled; expelling

Definition of expel

transitive verb

1 : to force out : eject expelled the smoke from her lungs
2 : to force to leave (a place, an organization, etc.) by official action : take away rights or privileges of membership was expelled from college
Other Words from expel Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about expel

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Other Words from expel

expellable \ ik-​ˈspe-​lə-​bəl How to pronounce expellable (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for expel

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

Did You Know?

To expel is to drive out, and its usual noun is expulsion. Expel is similar to eject, but expel suggests pushing out while eject suggests throwing out. Also, ejecting may only be temporary: the player ejected from a game may be back tomorrow, but the student expelled from school is probably out forever.

Examples of expel in a Sentence

The club may expel members who do not follow the rules. She was expelled from school for bad behavior. expel air from the lungs
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Recent Examples on the Web

 In June 2019, at its annual meeting in Birmingham, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination voted to change its constitution to expel churches that do not report abuse. — Susan Codone, Twin Cities, "Susan Codone: Protestants must step up efforts to stop sexual abuse in churches," 28 Aug. 2019 Traficant got himself elected to Congress and became just the second member to be expelled when a jury convicted him in 2002 of more corruption charges. — Mark Gillespie, Cincinnati.com, "Unusual deal keeps a shrinking Ohio city's newspaper going," 26 Aug. 2019 Some scholars believe Columbus was a Jew pretending to be Catholic, his mission to find a new home in North America for Jews expelled from Spain. — Longreads, "An Ocean Away From the Sanctuary of Manhattan, Signs of Peaceful Coexistence," 29 July 2019 The special effects have some specific hallmarks: A circular cave-in, a jet of expelled gas from the mineshaft, and a rolling shockwave. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "Hollywood Has No Idea How Nukes Work," 2 Apr. 2018 The Trump administration ordered 60 Russian intelligence and diplomatic officers expelled from the country Monday, in retaliation for the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain. — Aubrey Nagle, Philly.com, "Markelle Fultz returns, Philly's best teachers, Orchestra names new president | Morning Newsletter," 27 Mar. 2018 Cephus, 21, was suspended from the football team last August and was expelled from the university earlier this year for violating its non-academic misconduct code. — Washington Post, "Former Wisconsin football player found not guilty of rape," 3 Aug. 2019 Cephus, 21, was suspended from the football team last August and was expelled from the university earlier this year for violating its non-academic misconduct code. — BostonGlobe.com, "Messi suspended three months for remarks," 2 Aug. 2019 Japanese-Americans became objects of suspicion, then legal sanction, and Watase was expelled from an officer-training course. — The Economist, "How donuts fuelled the American Dream," 26 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of expel

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for expel

Middle English expellen, from Latin expellere, from ex- + pellere to drive — more at felt

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More Definitions for expel

expel

verb
How to pronounce expel (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of expel

: to officially force (someone) to leave a place or organization
: to push or force (something) out

See the full definition for expel in the English Language Learners Dictionary

expel

verb
ex·​pel | \ ik-ˈspel How to pronounce expel (audio) \
expelled; expelling

Kids Definition of expel

1 : to force to leave He was expelled from school.
2 : to force out expel air from lungs

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