EXCOMMUNICATE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

excommunicate

verb

Definition of excommunicate

as in to banish

to not allow (someone) to continue being a member of a group and especially the Roman Catholic church He was excommunicated from the church for his radical practices.

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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 excommunicate In the late 1980s, its ‌founder ⁠Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without the approval of Pope John Paul II, leading those involved to be excommunicated. — Reuters, NBC news, 5 July 2026 Six bishops and hundreds of priests belonging to the society have been excommunicated. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 July 2026 Vatican decree targeted bishops and faithful In a decree, the Vatican excommunicated the four new bishops and the two existing SSPX bishops who participated in the ceremony. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 In a decree, the Vatican excommunicated the four new bishops and the two bishops who participated in the ceremony. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for excommunicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excommunicate

Verb

And despite decades of efforts to banish it to history, the language has limped on, simply refusing to die.

— Robert Hart, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026
These cases include the current lawsuit by CNN, MS NOW and Politico, whose journalists were banished from the White House in September.

— Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of banish

Verb

Hanuman introduces the brothers to Sugriva, who has been exiled from his kingdom by his elder brother, Vali.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Karen would absolutely be a Catherine Zeta-Jones character who has been exiled to Arrakis following a particularly contentious divorce.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of exile

Verb

The bank also expects revenue to grow annually through 2028, targeting 5% growth that year compared with 2027, excluding notable items and on a constant currency basis.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
The company has continued to introduce new formats and purchasing options to reach consumers previously excluded by the product’s price or design.

— Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of exclude

Verb

In Panhellenic organizations, hazing looks like mental abuse—mean-girl behavior that ostracizes new female members.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
In this storybook little village she is ostracized, acknowledged negatively by the town’s men for her fishy smell, insulted regularly when not being totally ignored.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of ostracize

Verb

The theme park operator announced the extra safeguard less than two weeks after 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta died after being ejected from his seat on the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

— Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Where the investigation stands Preliminary information gathered at the scene from witnesses and employees indicated Kariem had been ejected from the ride, the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit said.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of eject

Verb

Bacelar disputed the accusations and said the lawsuit is filled with recycled claims that were previously litigated and dismissed.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Tyreek Hill was also a polarizing receiver who faced a 2014 domestic assault case that was dismissed and a 2019 child abuse probe, though no charges were filed.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Browse Nearby Words

excogitating

excommunicate

excommunicated

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Style

“Excommunicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excommunicate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of excommunicate

verb

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