banish

Definition of banishnext

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 Julius Randle has been banished to NBA Siberia (Brooklyn). Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 June 2026 The panel supports smooth, competitive esports gameplay with a fast 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, together banishing motion blur. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 The Davines Heart of Glass Silkening Shampoo is a toning shampoo for blonde and gray hair that gently clarifies and banishes brassiness. Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 June 2026 Where old wet-dry vacuums can harbor a musty smell, this one’s self-cleaning and heated drying abilities has banished the issue altogether. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for banish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banish
Verb
  • The reality star, actress, and comedian hasn't been exiled from late night altogether, however.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
  • The producers essentially did as much once both were exiled from Casa Amor, and the two made the mutual decision to couple up onscreen.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Soon-to-be teenager Prince George looked all grown up on a rare mother-son outing with Princess Kate.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, trainer Rick Burkholder, and general manager Brett Veach were outed by their tailor, who went online to brag about fitting their suits.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Girona were relegated but Ounahi stood out as one of the better midfielders in Spain.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Using this approach, the SynMax system, called Theia, enables AI to perform tasks previously relegated to intelligence analysts.
    Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • In April, the Superior Court dismissed the three citations Hubbard received in May 2025 when no park ranger or city attorney appeared for the prosecution, his lawsuit states.
    Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Freeney did not dismiss the business side of the arrangement.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • In the month of May, the US deported 1,746 Venezuelans according to ICE Flight Monitor.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Hernández said that her husband was detained during an ICE check-in and that even though he was told a judge would review his case, he was deported Wednesday.
    Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Although Cavalli remained in the game, Contreras, Miles Mikolas, Nate Eaton, and Boston interim manager Chad Tracy were ejected.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Thirteen players, including four Australians, are ejected for their part in the brawl.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Landlords in Durban and Johannesburg also evicted foreign tenants illegally to avoid further trouble, witnesses alleged.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • The ordinance would require landlords to provide a valid reason before evicting a tenant or declining to renew their lease.
    Megan De Mar, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Zach Neto added a two-out RBI single moments later to chase Bennett.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Chestnut, a 17-time champion, is chasing another Mustard Belt after reclaiming the men’s title in 2025.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Banish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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