persona non grata
noun
per·so·na non gra·ta
pər-ˈsō-nə-ˌnän-ˈgra-tə 
-ˈgrä-
-ˈgrä-
plural personae non gratae
pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē-ˌnän-ˈgra-(ˌ)tē
-ˈgrä-,
-ˌnī-,
-ˌtī
: a person who is unacceptable or unwelcome
Luis Villoro is hardly a persona non grata. As he approaches the age of eighty, his position in the intelligentsia is secure.—
Scott Sherman
—typically used without a or theScott Sherman… English scientist James Lovelock, co-author of the Gaia hypothesis and once an environmental demigod. Lovelock has become persona non grata by saying that the ecosphere is so resilient no amount of human malfeasance, including nuclear war, could end life.—Gregg Easterbrook
Gregg Easterbrook"We'd been very good friends for millions of years and I thought it was a bit much for them suddenly to be personae non gratae and out of my life."—Paul McCartney
Paul McCartneyExamples of persona non grata in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He's torched his credibility with Tesla's most important customers (rich libs), but now risks becoming persona non grata among the MAGA faithful by going against the boss.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
The South African ambassador who was expelled from the United States and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration was welcomed home at an airport Sunday by hundreds of supporters who sang songs praising him.
—arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Related article Elle Fanning’s naked dress has a long history
Who is banned from the Met Gala?
Each year rumors fly about who may be persona non grata at the gala, whether due to any offense towards the event or Wintour herself.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
The defence advisers in the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi were declared persona non grata and asked to leave, Misri said, adding that the overall strength of the Indian high commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 from 55.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persona non grata
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Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
The South African ambassador who was expelled from the United States and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration was welcomed home at an airport Sunday by hundreds of supporters who sang songs praising him.
—arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Related article Elle Fanning’s naked dress has a long history
Who is banned from the Met Gala?
Each year rumors fly about who may be persona non grata at the gala, whether due to any offense towards the event or Wintour herself.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
The defence advisers in the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi were declared persona non grata and asked to leave, Misri said, adding that the overall strength of the Indian high commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 from 55.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persona non grata
Cite this Entry
“Persona non grata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persona%20non%20grata. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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