excommunicate

1 of 2

verb

ex·​com·​mu·​ni·​cate ˌek-skə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt 

excommunicated; excommunicating; excommunicates

transitive verb

: to subject to excommunication

excommunicator

ˌek-skə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkā-tər 

noun

excommunicate

2 of 2

adjective

ex·​com·​mu·​ni·​cate ˌek-skə-ˈmyü-ni-kət 

: excluded from the rights of church membership : excommunicated

excommunicate noun

Examples of excommunicate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Alleging disobedience, among other claimed doctrinal infractions, the OCA excommunicated the Homyks and longtime parish council leader Rivera. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025

In response, the OCA excommunicated all foundation officers, an action usually reserved for grave doctrinal infractions. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025

In the aftermath of its arrival, the only man left standing is an enigmatic former priest excommunicated from the Six Petals. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025

In the interim, Solo physically excommunicated Jimmy Uso from The Bloodline six months ago and started his own version of the group with Jacob Fatu as his enforcer. —Shaheem Reid, Variety, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Late Latin excommunicatus, past participle of excommunicare, from Latin ex- + Late Latin communicare to communicate

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1521, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for excommunicate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate
• isocyanate

Kids Definition

excommunicate

verb

ex·​com·​mu·​ni·​cate

ˌeks-kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt

excommunicated; excommunicating

: to shut off officially from the rights of church membership

excommunication

-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən

noun

excommunicator

-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt-ər

noun