as in expulsion
the forced removal from a homeland
when Romeo learns he has been sentenced to banishment, he claims it is worse than death because he will be separated from Juliet forever
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Recent Examples of banishment
Each season, a group of singles stay in a villa with the goal of coupling up or risk banishment.
—
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Underwood has been one of the most vocal Faithfuls this season and has led the charge on a number of misguided Faithful banishments, giving Rinna some room to maneuver out from under his argument.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
By episode five, Michael had moved on from suspecting Yam Yam to suspecting Colton, who was a ringleader in the previous episode’s banishment of Big Brother fan favorite Tiffany Mitchell.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
After his banishment, Rapaport apologized in his confessional.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026
To now endure censure by overzealous anti-Pretendian crusaders, and banishment by bureaucratic tribal decrees and reactionary blood-quantum rules, feels particularly bitter.
—David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
After another challenge and the banishment of Williams, the Traitors were tasked with a murder in plain sight.
—Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
His daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have remained in the Windsor dynasty's good graces following Andrew's banishment.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025
Neither Father Burke or Sister Irene realize it at the end of the movie, but Valak evades banishment by possessing Frenchie.
—Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Underwood has been one of the most vocal Faithfuls this season and has led the charge on a number of misguided Faithful banishments, giving Rinna some room to maneuver out from under his argument.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
By episode five, Michael had moved on from suspecting Yam Yam to suspecting Colton, who was a ringleader in the previous episode’s banishment of Big Brother fan favorite Tiffany Mitchell.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
After his banishment, Rapaport apologized in his confessional.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026
To now endure censure by overzealous anti-Pretendian crusaders, and banishment by bureaucratic tribal decrees and reactionary blood-quantum rules, feels particularly bitter.
—David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
After another challenge and the banishment of Williams, the Traitors were tasked with a murder in plain sight.
—Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
His daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have remained in the Windsor dynasty's good graces following Andrew's banishment.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025
Neither Father Burke or Sister Irene realize it at the end of the movie, but Valak evades banishment by possessing Frenchie.
—Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banishment
Noun
-
Johnson said before the demonstrations that students who participate in the protests will be marked absent from class, but would not be disciplined, such as with suspensions or expulsions.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
-
On the first offense, a violator would be subject to immediate expulsion from the legislative chamber for the remainder of the day, a fine of not less than $500 but not exceeding $1,000, and referral to the chamber’s ethics committee.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoma Voice,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In response to an inquiry about the family’s request, ICE told CNN that Arlith Martínez had already been deported from the United States three times and was awaiting deportation proceedings.—
Susana Erazo,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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But seeking to expedite deportation has become a common action against asylum-seekers and other immigrants now battling their removal from the country in immigration courts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Banishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banishment. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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