English vocabulary · C1
Depose
/dɪˈpoʊz/ · v.
It means to remove someone from a powerful position, usually by force.
Watch the Depose lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- The army moved to depose the president.
- The king was deposed after only one year.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- de — down (from Latin)
- pose — place (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- OVERTHROW (taking power by force)
- REMOVE (officially taking someone out of position)
- OUST (forcing someone out, often publicly)
Words with the same root
ponere — to place
- compose — to place parts together to create something
- impose — to place something on others by force
- propose — to place an idea forward for consideration
Lesson notes
Depose. It means to remove someone from a powerful position, usually by force.
Similar words are overthrow, remove, and oust. Use depose when a leader is taken down from power by others.
The army moved to depose the president. The king was deposed after only one year.
From Latin. De means down. Pose means place. Place someone down from the top. That is depose.