banish

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb banish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of banish are deport, exile, and transport. While all these words mean "to remove by authority from a state or country," banish implies compulsory removal from a country not necessarily one's own.

banished for seditious activities

When is it sensible to use deport instead of banish?

The synonyms deport and banish are sometimes interchangeable, but deport implies sending out of the country an alien who has illegally entered or whose presence is judged inimical to the public welfare.

illegal aliens will be deported

When would exile be a good substitute for banish?

Although the words exile and banish have much in common, exile may imply compulsory removal or an enforced or voluntary absence from one's own country.

a writer who exiled himself for political reasons

In what contexts can transport take the place of banish?

In some situations, the words transport and banish are roughly equivalent. However, transport implies sending a convicted criminal to an overseas penal colony.

a convict who was transported to Australia

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of banish For example, Canada, the second largest market for U.S. spirits exports after the E.U., imposed a 25 percent tariff on all American spirits that began on March 13, and nearly all Canadian provinces have banished American booze from store shelves. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025 An affectionate cat became famous in the town of Fredericksburg, Texas, after local officials decided to banish her from her home at a public library. Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2025 With every step up, doubts emerged before Watkins banished them. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025 After both Big Brother alums were banished, Mountbatten, Catania, Windey, and Efron collectively took home the $204,300 prize earnings. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for banish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banish
Verb
  • With Waltz exiled to New York, Rubio must keep striving to keep Trump and the U.S. government true to friends like Ukraine and wary of deals with Putin.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
  • His older sons had become enthusiastic crypto proponents after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol effectively exiled the family business from the mainstream financial system.
    Eric Lipton, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Would a gay guy be outing himself by saying he’s obsessed with her?
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 May 2025
  • Instead, transgender troops who do not voluntarily come forward could be outed by commanders or others aware of their medical status.
    Lolita C. Baldor, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • At the time of writing, United are 16th, their lowest ebb since they were last relegated in 1974.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • But the pyramid isn’t an architectural form that’s relegated to history!
    Ashley Gardini, JSTOR Daily, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The charges were dismissed because West’s cause of death was not determined, and some evidence had been illegally obtained. (Netflix) Lewis was convicted of six counts of mail fraud in a 1981 credit card scheme in Kansas City.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
  • Baldwin — who denied pulling the trigger — was also put on trial for involuntary manslaughter last July, but the case was dismissed after the judge learned that prosecutors had withheld evidence from the defense.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration has deported two Cubans convicted of serious crimes to an African nation, after Cuba refused to take them back.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
  • Abrego Garcia was living in Maryland at the time he was deported.
    Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Bernardino threw 23 pitches over 1 2/3 innings Tuesday night after Walker Buehler was ejected in the third inning, one of six relievers Boston had to use.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
  • Estabrook, who’d already removed his mask and begun striding toward the mound as well, dramatically ejected the right-hander.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • These ordinances are meant to keep neighborhoods safe by evicting dangerous criminals.
    Sidnee King Pineda, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Two people were arrested at a residence in Killingly on Monday after the property owner alleged that he was assaulted and threatened after finding the two men inside the home despite being evicted.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • The result is a property that doesn’t chase trends but sets them.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Many chase quick profits in volatile markets, only to freeze when trades turn against them.
    David Billy, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Banish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banish. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on banish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!