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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

deposed past tense, deposes singular

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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."

Origin: Old French

Related words

Rhymes for depose

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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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial