banish

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb banish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of banish are deport, exile, and transport. While all these words mean "to remove by authority from a state or country," banish implies compulsory removal from a country not necessarily one's own.

banished for seditious activities

When is it sensible to use deport instead of banish?

The synonyms deport and banish are sometimes interchangeable, but deport implies sending out of the country an alien who has illegally entered or whose presence is judged inimical to the public welfare.

illegal aliens will be deported

When would exile be a good substitute for banish?

Although the words exile and banish have much in common, exile may imply compulsory removal or an enforced or voluntary absence from one's own country.

a writer who exiled himself for political reasons

In what contexts can transport take the place of banish?

In some situations, the words transport and banish are roughly equivalent. However, transport implies sending a convicted criminal to an overseas penal colony.

a convict who was transported to Australia

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of banish If border guards fail to stop them, the guards are banished to the ocean as punishment. Russell Contreras, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024 The turbos were banished and the cylinder count grew by 50 percent, as Ferrari’s range-topper gained a V-12 for the first time. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024 More:Graphics track changes, uncertainty in Syria after rebels banish Bashar al-Assad Israeli media reported the air force had carried out as many as 250 strikes. Maya Gebeily, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024 The ritual, performed by a Balinese priest, cleanses both body and soul, banishes evil spirits, and brings good fortune. Ryan Smith, Travel + Leisure, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for banish 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banish
Verb
  • In Act 4, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan who has been exiled to a desert island with daughter Miranda, and his magic book, interrupts his revenge scheme to conjure a supernatural theatrical pageant in honor of the engagement of Miranda and Ferdinand, the son of the king of Naples.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • As a result, its people have been imprisoned, exiled, and murdered.
    Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The new law doesn't prevent teachers from outing students to their parents if they're not coerced.
    Acacia Squires, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
  • The journalist Amelia Gentleman outs prominent members of the male-only Garrick Club, including Civil Service boss Simon Case.
    The Week UK, theweek, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Without that, you'd be relegated to insignificance.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
  • When the department returned to the office in July 2022, Bohn relegated Bell Limbrick to an office in Galen Center, far away from other department officials.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • To have the charge dismissed, a person must first plead guilty or no contest, agree to a treatment plan and then successfully complete that program.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Moments after dismissing the Denver Broncos 31-7 from the opening playoff round Sunday, the Bills already had the Baltimore Ravens on their minds.
    Tim Graham, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Skeptics note that Mexican authorities have traditionally done little to assist Mexican nationals who are daily deported or otherwise repatriated to Mexico — beyond welcoming them and offering free or discounted bus fare back to their areas of origin.
    Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • But he’s also promised to impose massive tariffs and deport millions of immigrants who lack permanent legal status — a move that could reignite inflation and dampen economic growth, some forecasters say.
    Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • They were both ejected from the game and had their Game 5 tickets revoked.
    Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Evans was flagged for unnecessary roughness but not ejected.
    Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In October, the fish were evicted and the broken sidewalk paved over.
    Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Editors’ Picks Best Classical Music Albums of 2024 Image Ms. Battista, the medical student in Rome who was evicted, said her frantic search for another place not far from the city center took five months.
    Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • What To Know Berger was walking two of his dogs near the lake when one of them chased a bird onto the ice, and subsequently fell into the water.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Sheriff’s deputies and Volusia County Animal Services officers chased and captured the dogs, who were then confiscated and are being held in quarantine, the statement said.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near banish

Cite this Entry

“Banish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banish. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on banish

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