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Definition of excommunication

excommunication

/ˌɛkskəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/
ex · com · mu · ni · ca · tion
Plural:excommunications
•
Adjective:excommunicative
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excommunication Lexical Profile

excommunication Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An official ecclesiastical censure that excludes or expels a person from the communion, sacraments, and privileges of a religious community or church.

Example

"The medieval monarch faced the threat of papal excommunication after defying the authority of the church."

2

The complete exclusion, expulsion, or ostracism of a person from a secular group, organization, or social circle.

Example

"Speaking out against the party leadership resulted in his swift political excommunication from the inner circle."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for excommunication

• Nearby Words

exclusiveness
exclusivity
excommunicate
excommunication
excrement
excremental
excreta

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Late Latin excommunicatio, a noun of action from excommunicare ('to put out of the community'), formed from ex- ('out of') and communicare ('to share, partake in communion'), from communis ('common').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Excommunication. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/excommunication
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