2 syllables: ban, ished. Stress on ban.
BAN-isht
/ˈbænɪʃt/
banished is pronounced BAN-isht (/ˈbænɪʃt/). It has two syllables (ban-ished), with the stress on "ban". Banished describes someone who has been expelled or driven away from a place or group, often by authority. It implies formal removal and lasting exclusion, usually with social or legal sanction. The term connotes finality and ostracism, rather than temporary absence, and is commonly used in historical, literary, or formal contexts.
Banished describes someone who has been expelled or driven away from a place or group, often by authority. It implies formal removal and lasting exclusion, usually with social or legal sanction. The term connotes finality and ostracism, rather than temporary absence, and is commonly used in historical, literary, or formal contexts.
"The town banished the rebels after the uprising."
"He was banished from the kingdom for his treachery."
"Residents faced banishment from the club for repeated violations."
Pronounce as /bəˈnɪʃt/ in US and UK; stress the second syllable. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable, followed by /ʃ/ and a final /t/. Mouth: relaxed lips, neutral tongue position for /ə/, then raise the middle of the tongue for /ˈnɪ/. Audio reference: imagine ‘ba-nished’ with emphasis on the ‘nished’ sound. IPA: US/UK: /bəˈnɪʃt/. AU is similar: /bəˈnɪʃt/.
Common mistakes: 1) Pronouncing as /ˈbeɪnɪʃt/ with a long /eɪ/ on the first syllable; correct to /bəˈnɪʃt/. 2) Overemphasizing the first syllable, making it ba-NISHED with equal stress; correction: keep primary stress on -nished. 3) Dropping the /t/ at the end or turning /ʃ/ into /s/; ensure final /t/ is audible and the /ʃ/ blends smoothly into /t/. Practice with light alveolar closure before /t/ for a clean release.
US/UK share /bəˈnɪʃt/ with rhoticity not strongly affecting; US may have a slightly reduced first vowel depending on rhythm. UK non-rhotic tendencies don’t change /ə/ much; AU tends toward a clipped /ɪ/ in the second syllable and a slightly sharper /t/ release. The main accent feature is vowel quality in the first syllable and the smooth /nɪ/; no major rhotic shift occurs. IPA: US/UK/AU: /bəˈnɪʃt/.
Key challenges: the sequence /bə/ followed by /ˈnɪ/ can be unfamiliar if your native language uses a different initial vowel or consonant cluster. The /ʃ/ before /t/ requires precise tongue shape; avoid inserting a /d/ after /t/. Finally, maintaining stress on the second syllable without over- or under-emphasizing requires controlled breath and rhythm.
A unique aspect is the abrupt vowel transition from a central schwa to a close-front /ɪ/ on the stressed syllable, which can feel counterintuitive if your language favors even vowel length. Focus on brief, crisp /ɪ/ and a clear /ʃ/ before the final /t/. IPA cue: /bəˈnɪʃt/.
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Banished comes from the past participle of banish, which originates in Middle English banissen or benissen, from Old French banir, a form related to banir (to ban, to forbid). The word likely traces to Frankish or Latin roots associated with proclaiming something prohibited. The sense evolution moved from “to forbid, ban” to “to expel or exile someone” in English usage, with earlier uses in legal or ecclesiastical contexts. By the 14th–15th centuries, banished commonly described individuals forced from a realm or community, often by someone in authority. Over time, it broadened to metaphorical exile or social exclusion, remaining common in literature and formal writing. First known uses appear in medieval legal prose and chronicles, where rulers formally banished rebels or criminals, establishing the term as a standard descriptor for official exile or ostracism. The word maintains strong associations with finality, authority, and social sanction, and is frequently found in historical narratives and classic literature. Modern usage preserves the sense of external removal and lasting separation, sometimes with nuances of moral condemnation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "banished" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "banished" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "banished"
-hed sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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