excommunicate
C2Formal, religious, legal, historical
Definition
Meaning
To officially exclude someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church, especially as a punishment.
To formally exclude or banish someone from a group, organization, or community, cutting off communication and participation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically a severe ecclesiastical penalty; now often used metaphorically for social or organizational exclusion. Implies formal, authoritative action rather than informal shunning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term primarily in religious/formal contexts.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of formal, institutional exclusion in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in everyday speech in both regions; slightly more frequent in UK due to established church structure.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] excommunicated [Object][Subject] was excommunicated from [Institution][Subject] excommunicated [Object] for [Reason]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; related to concepts of 'casting out' or 'being cast into outer darkness'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The board effectively excommunicated the whistleblower.'
Academic
Used in historical, religious, and sociological studies discussing church discipline or social exclusion.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used jokingly or hyperbolically: 'My friends excommunicated me from the group chat.'
Technical
Specific canonical term in Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant church law.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bishop decided to excommunicate the priest for heresy.
- He was excommunicated after refusing to recant his views.
American English
- The church council voted to excommunicate the member.
- She risked being excommunicated for her public statements.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
American English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- The excommunicate bishop lived in isolation.
- He was an excommunicate member of the community.
American English
- The excommunicated priest could no longer perform sacraments.
- Excommunicate individuals were often shunned.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The church can excommunicate people who break important rules.
- Long ago, they could excommunicate someone for disagreeing.
- The medieval pope threatened to excommunicate the king if he did not obey.
- Members who reveal secret rituals may be excommunicated from the society.
- The synod moved to excommunicate the theologian for his heterodox writings, effectively ending his career within the church.
- Historically, to be excommunicated was not merely a spiritual penalty but often resulted in social and economic ostracism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
EX-COMMUNICATE: Think 'EXit from the COMmunity' or 'EXcluded from COMmunion'.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS EXCLUSION IS BANISHMENT / SOCIAL DEATH IS EXCOMMUNICATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'отлучить' in non-religious contexts where 'исключить' or 'изгнать' is better.
- Do not use for temporary suspension; implies more permanent, severe exclusion.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for informal exclusion (use 'ostracize' or 'exclude').
- Misspelling as 'excomunicate'.
- Using as a noun incorrectly ('an excommunicate' is possible but rare).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'excommunicate' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's usually metaphorical or hyperbolic, implying a very formal, severe exclusion from a group with strong communal bonds, similar to religious excommunication.
The primary noun is 'excommunication'. The word 'excommunicate' itself can also be used as a rare noun (e.g., 'an excommunicate').
In religious contexts, yes, often through a process of penance and reconciliation. The verb 'excommunicate' does not inherently specify permanence.
'Excommunicate' implies a formal, official act by an authority within an organized group (often religious). 'Ostracize' is more general and social, meaning to exclude from a group or society by common consent, without necessarily a formal procedure.