to unchurch
9.9
To officially stop someone being a member of a church group
- verb
- /ʌnˈtʃɜːrʧ/
- Jargon
:
excomulgar
- Let the Protestants criticize and wrangle their brains out; God has not yet unchurched Rome, nor does He touch the Papal Power.
Examples
-
After the scandal, the church chose to unchurch several individuals involved in misconduct.
-
The pastor decided to unchurch members who no longer participated in services.
-
The community held a meeting to discuss whether to unchurch those who had strayed from their beliefs.
Synonyms
24
9.3
To officially stop someone from being a member of a church as punishment
excludes someone from membership in a religious community without naming formal punishment
to outcast
vsto unchurch
1
5.7
To force someone out of a group so others avoid them
excludes membership specifically within a religious community rather than social rejection
1
9.9
To remove someone from a group for breaking rules
excludes membership but does not always stress formal disciplinary process
Antonyms
How Excluded
to excommunicate
24
9.3
- Formal
24
9.3
to expel
188
5.0
188
5.0
to disfellowship
1
9.9
- Jargon
1
9.9
to unchurch
- Jargon
to exclude
280
3.0
280
3.0
to admit
70
2.8
70
2.8
Surface Forms
unchurch infinitive
unchurched past
unchurched past participle
unchurching present participle
unchurches third person singular
Morphology
Etymology
Unchurch is made from the prefix un- meaning 'not' or 'remove' and the word church, the group or place of worship. So, to unchurch someone is to take them 'out of the church' or remove their membership.