persona non grata

noun

per·​so·​na non gra·​ta pər-ˈsō-nə-ˌnän-ˈgra-tə How to pronounce persona non grata (audio) -ˈgrä- How to pronounce persona non grata (audio)
plural personae non gratae pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē-ˌnän-ˈgra-(ˌ)tē How to pronounce persona non grata (audio)
-ˈgrä-,
-ˌnī-,
-ˌtī
: a person who is unacceptable or unwelcome
Luis Villoro is hardly a persona non grata. As he approaches the age of eighty, his position in the intelligentsia is secure.Scott Sherman
typically used without a or the
… English scientist James Lovelock, co-author of the Gaia hypothesis and once an environmental demigod. Lovelock has become persona non grata by saying that the ecosphere is so resilient no amount of human malfeasance, including nuclear war, could end life.Gregg Easterbrook
"We'd been very good friends for millions of years and I thought it was a bit much for them suddenly to be personae non gratae and out of my life."Paul McCartney

Examples of persona non grata in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
West has been persona non grata in much of mainstream public life after launching a series of antisemitic tirades online in 2022. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024 Diddy had been a brand persona non grata for nearly 12 months after shocking allegations about his personal life first surfaced. Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 Obviously, his death is the catalyst for the whole narrative — but the actor from the original film, Jeffrey Jones, is persona non grata. Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2024 Under pressure from Trump, Pence famously refused to interfere in the certification of Biden’s victory in the 2020 election, a move that made Pence persona non grata to many Republicans. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for persona non grata 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, unacceptable person

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of persona non grata was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near persona non grata

Cite this Entry

“Persona non grata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persona%20non%20grata. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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