verb
depose
dih-POHZ
Depose (verb) means to remove someone, especially a ruler or leader, from power. Example: “The general was deposed in a military coup.”
verb
1
To remove someone, especially a ruler or leader, from power.
"The general was deposed in a military coup."
"The king was deposed after years of unrest."
2
To give sworn testimony, or to formally question someone under oath, especially in a legal case.
"The witness was deposed by lawyers from both sides before the trial."
How to use depose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo remove a leader from power, or to question someone formally under oath in a legal setting.
Common pairings
depose a king
depose a witness
deposed dictator
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- deposes
- Past tense
- deposed
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The general was _____ in a military coup.
Etymology
From Old French deposer, from de- ("down") and poser ("to put, place") — historically confused with the related but separate word "deposit."
Related words
Rhymes for depose
See all rhymes for depose →Frequently asked questions
What does “depose” mean?
The word “depose” means to remove someone, especially a ruler or leader, from power. In plain terms, to remove a leader from power, or to question someone formally under oath in a legal setting.
How do you pronounce “depose”?
“Depose” is pronounced dih-POHZ (/diˈpoʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “depose” in a sentence?
Here is “depose” used in a sentence: “The general was deposed in a military coup.”
What is another word for “depose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “depose” include declare, depone and testify.
What is the opposite of “depose”?
The opposite of “depose” — its antonyms — is restore.
What part of speech is “depose”?
“Depose” is a verb.
Where does the word “depose” come from?
The word “depose” comes from Old French. From Old French deposer, from de- ("down") and poser ("to put, place") — historically confused with the related but separate word "deposit.".
How many meanings does “depose” have?
“Depose” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to remove someone, especially a ruler or leader, from power.
