excommunicate

[ verb eks-kuh-myoo-ni-keyt; noun, adjective eks-kuh-myoo-ni-kit, -keyt ]

/ verb ˌɛks kəˈmyu nɪˌkeɪt; noun, adjective ˌɛks kəˈmyu nɪ kɪt, -ˌkeɪt /

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verb (used with object), ex·com·mu·ni·cat·ed, ex·com·mu·ni·cat·ing.

to cut off from communion with a church or exclude from the sacraments of a church by ecclesiastical sentence.

to exclude or expel from membership or participation in any group, association, etc.: an advertiser excommunicated from a newspaper.

noun

an excommunicated person.

adjective

cut off from communion with a church; excommunicated.

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Origin of excommunicate

1375–1425; late Middle English excommunicaten (v.) <Late Latin excommūnicātus literally, put out of the community (past participle of excommūnicāre), equivalent to ex-ex-¹ + commūn(is) common, public + -ic- (by analogy with commūnicāre to communicate) + -ātus-ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM excommunicate

ex·com·mu·ni·ca·tor, nounun·ex·com·mu·ni·cat·ed, adjective

Words nearby excommunicate

exclusive representation, exclusivism, exclusivity, excogitate, excommunicable, excommunicate, excommunication, excommunicative, excommunicatory, excoriate, excoriation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use excommunicate in a sentence

In Poland, it’s almost impossible for openly LGBTQ people to remain an active part of the Roman Catholic Church, which, according to activists, excommunicates people who are openly LGBTQ.
The Unorthodox Priest Leading Poland's Fight for LGBTQ Rights|Madeline Roache|June 18, 2021|Time
Beyond that, Cheney seems to be placing a bet on the long term — the idea that, even if she’s excommunicated from House GOP leadership and loses her seat in Congress, she might eventually emerge better for it.
Liz Cheney appears to be lighting her political career on fire. But for what?|Aaron Blake|May 5, 2021|Washington Post
Petrey said that he is not aware of a mental health professional who has been excommunicated for issues directly related to their work.
Mormon sex therapist faces discipline and possible expulsion from the LDS Church|Sarah Pulliam Bailey|April 16, 2021|Washington Post
Although Weinstein has been excommunicated from the industry, some of his less controversial campaigning practices remain.
Why do the Oscars matter?|Sonia Rao|April 16, 2021|Washington Post

They don’t excommunicate people who could help rebuild a majority.
No, Trumpism Isn’t Over. Look at What Just Happened in Arizona|Philip Elliott|January 25, 2021|Time
Even after she left its barbed bosom, it did its best to further excommunicate and sideline her.
If Kate Middleton’s Butt Could Speak: It’s Time Royal Princesses Led Visible, Voluble Public Lives|Tim Teeman|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jewish and world leaders privately asked him to excommunicate Hitler, but he declined to do so.
The Savior of Sobibor|Richard Rashke|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And rather than fight with them, they'll just excommunicate and ignore him, which half of them have already done anyway, probably.
Conservative Schism? Not Getting My Hopes Up|Michael Tomasky|September 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But he gave to the clergy the exclusive right to excommunicate, and to regulate the administration of the sacraments.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VI|John Lord
He could depose prelates and excommunicate the greatest personages; he enjoyed enormous revenues; he was vicegerent of the Pope.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V|John Lord
The Pope allowed him to excommunicate the persons who occupied his estates, but not the King himself.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V|John Lord
This mans wedding-business was so extensive and so scandalous, that the Bishop of London found it necessary to excommunicate him.
The Chronicles of Crime or The New Newgate Calendar. v. 1/2|Camden Pelham
Yonder holy man of a bishop, who sleeps not far from you, gorged with wine and meat, might excommunicate you if he heard you!
The Poniard's Hilt|Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for excommunicate

excommunicate

/ RC Church /

verb (ˌɛkskəˈmjuːnɪˌkeɪt)

(tr) to sentence (a member of the Church) to exclusion from the communion of believers and from the privileges and public prayers of the Church

adjective (ˌɛkskəˈmjuːnɪkɪt, -ˌkeɪt)

having incurred such a sentence

noun (ˌɛkskəˈmjuːnɪkɪt, -ˌkeɪt)

an excommunicated person

Derived forms of excommunicate

excommunicable, adjectiveexcommunication, nounexcommunicative or excommunicatory, adjectiveexcommunicator, noun

Word Origin for excommunicate

C15: from Late Latin excommūnicāre, literally: to exclude from the community, from Latin commūnis common

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

excommunicate

Origin of excommunicate

OTHER WORDS FROM excommunicate

Words nearby excommunicate

Words related to excommunicate

How to use excommunicate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for excommunicate

Derived forms of excommunicate

Word Origin for excommunicate