excommunicatory

excommunicatory

The bishop issued an excommunicatory decree against the heretic.

Definition

Adjective: - Relating to excommunication: "excommunicatory" describes something that pertains to or has the effect of excluding someone from the communion of a church, especially as a formal punishment.

Usage Examples
  • (A formal order that excludes someone from church membership.)
  • (His behaviour warranted a punishment of church exclusion.)
  • (The text included terms that threatened excommunication.)
Advanced Usage
  • "excommunicatory measure": a formal action or policy that results in excommunication.

    • The council voted to adopt an excommunicatory measure for those who openly defied doctrine. (A rule that would exclude violators from the church.)
  • "excommunicatory tone": a manner or style that suggests condemnation or exclusion.

    • Her speech had an excommunicatory tone, criticizing all who disagreed. (Her words implied a desire to shun or reject others.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Excommunication (n): the act of officially excluding someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church.

    • Excommunication was a severe penalty in medieval times. (Formal church exclusion was a harsh punishment.)
  • Excommunicate (v): to officially exclude someone from the Christian Church.

    • The priest threatened to excommunicate the rebellious member. (To formally expel from church membership.)
  • Excommunicative (adj): tending to or involving excommunication (similar to excommunicatory).

    • The excommunicative clause in the church law was rarely invoked. (The part of the law that allowed for excommunication.)
Synonyms
  • Condemnatory: expressing strong disapproval or condemnation.
  • Censuring: criticizing or expressing disapproval formally.
  • Banning: prohibiting or excluding, often by official decree.
Related Idioms
  • To put under the ban: to officially exclude or forbid, often in a religious context.

    • The monk was put under the ban for his unorthodox teachings. (He was formally excluded from the community.)
  • To cut off from the church: to separate someone from religious fellowship.

    • The reformer was cut off from the church for his radical views. (He was excommunicated.)