PoliticsAugust 23, 2026

excommunicated

eks-kuh-MYOO-nih-kay-tid

Definition

Formally excluded, cast out, or ostracized from a community, group, or organization because of one's views or actions.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'excommunicare,' meaning 'to put out of the community,' formed from 'ex-' (out) and 'communicare' (to share or make common).

In the news

The word describes the harsh treatment of Walter Block, who was cast out by libertarian institutions for holding a dissenting opinion on a specific political issue. It highlights how ideological groups often punish members who deviate from established orthodoxy.

The Blogs: Are You a True Believer?

Read the full article ↗

The Times of Israel

Related words

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.