BANISH Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

banish

verb

ˈba-nish

Definition of banish next

as in to exile

to force to leave a country in the old days, criminals were sometimes banished to distant lands

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as in to out

to drive or force out permanently banished the troublemakers from the youth recreational center

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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

Example 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 Andrew has already been banished to Sandringham and stripped of his titles. —

Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Mar. 2026 The scheme has proved to be the start of a wave of pedestrianizations across the city, which have banished cars from some major streets and reduced the number of car lanes on many others. —

Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026 Shah, along with a clinical psychologist and a leadership coach, explain how to banish daily bouts of tiredness and boost energy levels in both body and mind. —

Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026 All of those players Miami banished/traded away that 2019 Tanking for Tua season were proven NFL starters, players who had the ability to continue their careers as impactful contributors to the Dolphins. —

Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for banish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for banish

Verb

Once used by Iran's monarchy to exile political prisoners, this rock is deceptively fertile on the ground.

— Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
In the Sixties in Greece, under military rule, the music of Mikis Theodorakis was prohibited by decree, its composer imprisoned and exiled.

— Christina Hioureas, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026

Definition of exile

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bang up

banish

banished

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“Banish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banish. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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