depose

IPA/dɪˈpəʊz/
KK[dɪpˈoz]IPA/dɪˈpəʊz/

depose — verb

  • deposepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • deposeshe / she / it
  • deposedpast simple
  • deposing-ing form

1. to force a leader or ruler to leave their position of authority, often through m

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to force a leader or ruler to leave their position of authority, often through military or political action

例句

The military deposed the president after weeks of protests across the capital.

active voice: military + depose + political leader

King Otis was deposed in a bloodless coup while his cousin Kian fled to Spain.

passive: be deposed in/by [event]

同義詞
  • oust

    less formal, can be used for any forceful removal from a position or place

  • overthrow

    implies violent or revolutionary action, often by a large group

  • remove

    more general, neutral tone, used in many contexts beyond politics

  • dethrone

    specifically for a monarch or top authority figure

反義詞
  • install

    to formally place someone into a position of power

  • appoint

    to assign someone to a role by official decision

文法句型

depose + direct object (leader/ruler)

be deposed by [group]

用法筆記

Frequently passive. The subject is typically a military group, political body, or faction with the power to remove the leader. This sense is almost never used for removing objects, policies, or non-authority figures.

常見錯誤

❌The committee deposed the new policy.
✅The committee rejected the new policy.
💡depose is only used for people in positions of power, not for rules, plans, or objects.
❌The voters deposed the mayor in the election.
✅The voters voted the mayor out of office.
💡depose implies force or formal removal by an authority body, not a regular election.

2. to formally question someone under oath before a legal proceeding, or to state f

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to formally question someone under oath before a legal proceeding, or to state facts as sworn evidence yourself

例句

The lawyer deposed the witness before the trial began.

transitive: depose + witness (question under oath)

Eleni was deposed by the opposing counsel for four hours yesterday.

passive: be deposed by [lawyer]

同義詞
  • testify

    broader term for giving evidence, can be in court or at a deposition; depose is more specific to pre-trial questioning

  • question

    general and informal; does not imply a legal oath or formal procedure

文法句型

depose + direct object (witness)

depose + that-clause (sworn statement)

用法筆記

Intransitive use (depose that...) is restricted to formal legal writing and sworn statements. In everyday speech, 'give a deposition' or 'testify under oath' is far more common. Transitive use means to take a deposition from someone.

常見錯誤

❌The witness deposed in court yesterday.
✅The witness testified in court yesterday.
💡depositions happen before the trial, not during the trial itself. The court proceeding is 'testimony,' not 'deposition.'
❌I deposed the contract yesterday.
✅I signed the contract yesterday.
💡depose has nothing to do with signing documents; it involves sworn oral testimony.