excommunication

noun

ex·​com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​tion ˌek-skə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce excommunication (audio)
Synonyms of excommunicationnext
1
: an ecclesiastical censure depriving a person of the rights of church membership
2
: exclusion from fellowship in a group or community
excommunicative
ˌek-skə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkā-tiv How to pronounce excommunication (audio)
-ni-kə-tiv
adjective

Examples of excommunication in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In response, Luther publicly burned the papal bull threatening excommunication (and was indeed promptly excommunicated). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Oct. 2026 Keldermans received an excommunication decree from the bishop of Springfield after her 2014 ordination. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Reaction to Vatican excommunication De Piante said a handful of families skipped the first Sunday mass after the Vatican’s declaration because they were troubled by the news. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026 On July 2, the Vatican decreed the excommunication of the SSPX’s bishops and priests, one day after the group consecrated four new bishops in Switzerland without the pope’s consent. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for excommunication

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of excommunication was in the 15th century

Rhymes for excommunication

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Browse Nearby Words

excommunicate
excommunication
excommunicative
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Cite this Entry

“Excommunication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excommunication. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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