Words / B2

ik-SPEL/ɪkˈspel/

To expel is to force someone to leave a school, country, or club: expel a pupil; expel a diplomat. Exclude is close in schools (often shorter-term); deport is for sending a non-citizen out of a country. Colleges may expel impersonators. Do not use expel for asking someone to step outside for a minute.

Meaning

To force a person to leave a school, country, or organisation.

Examples

• “The college may expel students who sit the paper for someone else.”
• “The ambassador was expelled, which is the diplomatic sense.”

Good to know

expel someone from. Schools: exclude (related). Borders: deport / expel a diplomat. Noun: expulsion. Serious official register. Not a casual “get out”.

Near in meaning

exclude

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