Expel — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ik-ˈspel/ ex·pel

Meaning & Definition of Expel

Expel (verb)

  1. to force out, eject
  2. to force to leave (a place, an organization, etc.) by official action, take away rights or privileges of membership

Expel (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to drive or force out

    "animal lover though I am, I was determined to expel the uninvited mouse from my room"

    similar: banish, boot (out), bounce, cast out, chase, dismiss, drum (out), eject, extrude, kick out, oust, out, rout, run off, throw out, turf (out) (chiefly British), turn out, give one the gate (slang), send packing
    related: deforce, deport, displace, dispossess, evict, exile, expatriate, ostracize, read out, shut out, ax, can, cashier, defenestrate, discharge, fire, muster out, pink-slip, release, remove, retire, sack, terminate
    near: accept, admit, receive, take, take in, welcome, entertain, harbor, house, lodge, shelter

  2. to throw or give off

    "something in a wastebasket was expelling a foul odor"

    similar: cast, discharge, emanate, emit, evolve, exhale, expire (archaic), give out, irradiate, issue, radiate, release, send (out), shoot, throw out, vent
    related: eliminate, evacuate, excrete, exude, ooze, secrete, eject, erupt, gush, jet, outpour, pour, spew, spout, spray, spurt, squirt
    near: absorb, inhale, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up

  3. to violently throw out or off (something from within)

    "ringing and flashing madly, the slot machine expelled a bucketful of quarters"

    similar: belch, disgorge, eject, eruct, erupt, jet, spew, spout, spurt
    related: gush, pour, squirt, stream, surge, emanate, exhale, issue, release, shoot, spit, spring, vent, discharge, emit, fire, cast, fling, heave, hurl, launch, pitch, toss
    near: bottle (up), contain, restrain, shut (in or up)

  4. to let or force out of the lungs

    "asked the patient to expel a deep breath"

    similar: blow (out), breathe (out), exhale, expire
    related: expectorate
    opposite: inbreathe, inhale, inspire

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Expel

The most common words with a similar meaning to Expel:

Chiefly British: turf (out)
Slang: give one the gate
Archaic: expire
banish, boot (out), bounce, cast out, chase, dismiss, drum (out), eject, extrude, kick out, oust, out, rout, run off, throw out, turn out, cast, discharge, emanate, emit, evolve, exhale, give out, irradiate, issue, radiate, release, send (out), shoot, vent, belch, disgorge, eruct, erupt, jet, spew, spout, spurt, blow (out), breathe (out)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Expel

Words with the opposite meaning of Expel:

inbreathe, inhale, inspire

Related Words for Expel

deforce, deport, displace, dispossess, evict, exile, expatriate, ostracize, read out, shut out, ax, can, cashier, defenestrate, fire, muster out, pink-slip, remove, retire, sack, terminate, eliminate, evacuate, excrete, exude, ooze, secrete, gush, outpour, pour

Near Antonyms of Expel

accept, admit, receive, take, take in, welcome, entertain, harbor, house, lodge, shelter, absorb, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up, bottle (up), contain, restrain, shut (in or up)

Word Forms of Expel

Inflections: expelled, expelling

Derived words: expellable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Expel

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

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Expel

What does "Expel" mean?

"Expel" means to force out, eject. As a verb, it is defined as: to force out, eject. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Expel"?

Other words for "Expel" include banish, boot (out), bounce, cast out, chase, dismiss, drum (out) and eject. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Expel" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Expel"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Expel". Common alternatives include banish, boot (out), bounce, cast out, chase, dismiss, drum (out), eject, extrude and kick out.

What is the opposite of "Expel"?

Antonyms of "Expel" include inbreathe, inhale and inspire. Near antonyms include accept, admit, receive and take.

How do you use "Expel" in a sentence?

Examples of "Expel" in a sentence: "animal lover though I am, I was determined to expel the uninvited mouse from my room"; "something in a wastebasket was expelling a foul odor"; "ringing and flashing madly, the slot machine expelled a bucketful of quarters".

Is "Expel" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Expel" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Expel"?

"Expel" is pronounced /ik-ˈspel/ and divided into syllables as ex·pel.

What is the origin of the word "Expel"?

"Expel" comes from Middle English expellen, from Latin expellere, from ex- + pellere to drive felt. First known use: 14th century.