excommunication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excommunication" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a religious context to describe the act of officially excluding someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the church. Example: "The church decided to impose excommunication on the member who openly defied its teachings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Both kinds of excommunication bar the excommunicated person from the sacraments of the church as well as from Christian burial.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Contact with excommunicated persons automatically entailed excommunication for the offender.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Canon law states that excommunication is valid if it follows a mortal sin.

The Guardian

In 2009, Pope Benedict ignited controversy by lifting the excommunication of the four bishops and even promised the rebel group autonomy from bishops they considered too liberal.

The Guardian

"Excommunication is automatic," a spokesman said.

The Guardian

"We're not afraid of excommunication.

The Guardian

But God has permitted trade and forbidden interest.The Christian church had long viewed interest-taking as a sin, and a council of bishops held in France in 1312 hardened this into a threat of excommunication for those who did it, or even rulers who allowed them to.

The Economist

Bishops threatened supporters of the measure with excommunication.

The Economist

They threatened with excommunication anybody who prayed with "heretics"—a word which often, in practice, meant the losing side in whichever theological argument had just shaken the Christian world.The issue still excites passion.

The Economist

The papal bull threatening Luther with excommunication in 1520 said its aim was "to cut off the advance of this plague and cancerous disease so it will not spread any further".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This should encourage commercial, scientific, educational and cultural exchanges with their neighbours.Henry Politi BrusselsSIR – Regarding the "Tragedy of the Arabs" (July 5th), this is the end result of the burning of the books of Averroes and the near-excommunication of Taha Hussein coupled with centuries of despotism and cultural repression.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "excommunication" is widely understood, in some contexts, it may be helpful to provide a brief explanation of its implications for those unfamiliar with the term.

Common error

Avoid using "excommunication" when the situation involves a temporary suspension from church activities. "Excommunication" is a more severe and often permanent exclusion, while suspension is temporary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "excommunication" is as a noun, representing the act or state of being excluded from a religious community. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in this context, such as describing historical instances of papal "excommunication".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

36%

News & Media

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excommunication" is a noun referring to the formal exclusion from a religious community, particularly within the Catholic Church. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in historical, religious, and legal contexts. As the analysis shows, its usage is primarily found in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific texts. When using "excommunication", it's important to distinguish it from suspension and other less severe forms of religious censure. The correct use of "excommunication" enhances clarity and precision in discussions about religious practices and history.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spiritual excommunication

Adding "spiritual" reinforces the non-physical nature of the exclusion.

formal expulsion from the church

Emphasizes the official and structured nature of the removal.

ecclesiastical censure

Specifies the type of censure as related to the church or religious authority.

religious banishment

Highlights the aspect of being banished from a religious community.

spiritual exclusion

Emphasizes the spiritual consequences of being cut off from the church.

ecclesiastical condemnation

Focuses on the act of being strongly disapproved of by the church.

deprivation of sacraments

Highlights the loss of access to key religious rituals.

exclusion from fellowship

Focuses on the removal from the community of believers.

religious ostracism

Draws a parallel to social ostracism but within a religious framework.

anathematization

Implies a formal and severe curse or condemnation by religious authority.

FAQs

How is "excommunication" used in a sentence?

"Excommunication" is a noun that refers to the act of excluding someone from the sacraments and fellowship of the church. For example, "The church decided to impose excommunication on the member who openly defied its teachings."

What are some synonyms for "excommunication"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ecclesiastical censure", "religious banishment", or "spiritual exclusion".

What's the difference between "excommunication" and suspension in a religious context?

"Excommunication" is a formal and often permanent exclusion from the church, while suspension is a temporary removal from certain privileges or activities. The former is a much more severe penalty.

Can "excommunication" be reversed?

Yes, in some cases, "excommunication" can be lifted or reversed, typically after the individual has shown repentance and reconciliation with the church. However, this depends on the specific religious institution and the circumstances of the "excommunication".