Definition of 'depose'

Word Frequency

depose

(dɪpoʊz )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense deposes , present participle deposing , past tense, past participle deposed

verb [usually passive]

If a ruler or political leader is deposed, they are forced to give up their position.

Mr Ben Bella was deposed in a coup in 1965. [beV-ed]

...the deposed dictator. [VERB-ed]

Synonyms: oust, dismiss, displace, degrade More Synonyms of depose

More Synonyms of depose

Video: pronunciation of 'depose'

Word Frequency

depose in British

(dɪˈpəʊz )

verb

1. (transitive)

to remove from an office or position, esp one of power or rank

2. law

to testify or give (evidence, etc) on oath, esp when taken down in writing; make a deposition

Derived forms

deposable (deˈposable)

adjective

deposer (deˈposer)

noun

Word origin of 'depose'

C13: from Old French deposer to put away, put down, from Late Latin dēpōnere to depose from office, from Latin: to put aside; see depone

Word Frequency

depose in American

(diˈpoʊz ; dēpōzˈ; dɪˈpoʊz ; dipōzˈ)

verb transitiveWord forms: deˈposed or deˈposing

to remove from office or a position of power, esp. from a throne; oust

2. Archaic

to lay down

3. Law

to state or testify under oath but out of court

to take the deposition of (a witness)

verb intransitive

to bear witness

Derived forms

deposable (deˈposable)

adjective

Word origin of 'depose'

ME deposen, to deprive of office, testify < OFr deposer, to set down < de- (L de), from, away + poser (see pose1), to cease, lie down; confused in sense and form with L deponere (pp. depositus), to lay down, lay aside (in ML, testify): see deposit

Example sentences containing 'depose'

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Labour has only deposed a leader once in any circumstances. Times, Sunday Times (2015)With all our mess, the luxury apartment resembled the palace of a deposed dictator just after liberation. Times, Sunday Times (2013)The Pakistani military were already preparing to greet the deposed leader and his entourage of aides and journalists. Times, Sunday Times (2007)As days became weeks, there were confident assertions that he was dead or dying or deposed in a coup. Times, Sunday Times (2014)They prayed, waved flags, sang the rebel anthem and united in chants of mockery of the deposed dictator. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Thousands of activists were in jails across the country and, while they were colder and less comfortable than their deposed leader, they had the reassurance of numbers. Times, Sunday Times (2013)