Synonyms

exclusionary

American

[ik-skloo-zhuh-ner-ee] / ɪkˈsklu ʒəˌnɛr i /

adjective

having the effect of excluding or shutting out someone or something.

In wealthy suburbs with good schools, exclusionary zoning policies often block affordable housing development and keep out low-income people.

Etymology

Origin of exclusionary

exclusion ( def. ) + -ary ( def. )

Explanation

Being exclusionary means deliberately leaving out certain people or groups, like an exclusionary club that won't admit anyone who's shorter than six feet tall or who has red hair. When something is exclusionary, it's limited to specific people or only those who belong to certain groups. This adjective has a negative connotation, because excluding people, especially for reasons out of their control, is usually unfair. Exclusionary comes from the Latin exclusionem, "a shutting out" and its root, which means "to shut." An exclusionary game of beach volleyball shuts out certain people, while making the game inclusive allows anyone who's interested to join in.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Describe any other exclusionary conduct on the part of Netflix that would reasonably appear capable of entrenching market or monopoly power,” the agency asked in the subpoena, sent to another entertainment company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

"Instead of openness, cooperation and outward focus, the environment has too often felt toxic, exclusionary and deeply disheartening."

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025

As the castle doctrine spread across the English colonies, including North America, it took its essential exclusionary principles with it.

From Slate • Oct. 23, 2025

“It feels really lifeless and exclusionary, and the love that those centers had for their students — that love hasn’t found its place back to campus yet,” she said in an interview.

From Salon • Sep. 22, 2025

Throughout the United States, public housing agencies have adopted exclusionary policies that deny eligibility to applicants even with the most minor criminal backgrounds.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023