To force someone to leave a place, especially as a punishment, and not allow them to return. It can also mean to drive away thoughts or feelings very strongly.
It comes from Old French “banir,” meaning to proclaim, summon, or expel. That traces back to a Germanic root related to public commands and bans.
To be banished wasn’t just about moving; it was social death—being cut off from your whole community. When we say we “banish” worries or fears, we’re using a very dramatic word for mentally kicking something out of our lives.
Banishment and exile have historically been used in gendered ways, including expelling women for perceived sexual or social transgressions and ostracizing gender‑nonconforming people. Narratives about banishment often frame women's exclusion as moral correction while treating men's as political or heroic exile.
When using 'banish' metaphorically, avoid targeting traits associated with specific genders or reinforcing shaming patterns. In historical contexts, note when banishment practices were applied differently across genders.
["expel","exclude","exile","remove"]
Women who were banished or socially ostracized have nonetheless formed alternative communities and networks, preserving knowledge and mutual support outside official institutions.
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