banish

/ˈbænɪʃ/verb

To force a person to leave a place and not allow them to come back.

Example sentences

“The king banished the traitor from the kingdom forever.”
“The rebel leader was banished to a remote island for ten years.”

The figurative use outlives the political one: you banish doubts, fears, or thoughts. Exiling people is mostly history and fantasy fiction.

Featured as word of the day on January 30, 2026.

Synonyms for banish

exile
expel
cast out
deport
drive out

Related words

dispelTo make something, such as a feeling or belief, go away by scattering or driving it off.banalSo ordinary and unoriginal that it feels dull and easy to predict.backlashA strong negative reaction from many people against a decision, change, or event.avariceAn extreme and selfish greed for money or possessions.belligerentHostile and aggressive; eager to argue or fight.bickerTo argue about small, unimportant things, usually again and again.