1. to expel from membership in a church; to excommunicate
Usage: formal; ecclesiastical
2. to deprive of church status or recognition
Usage: formal; ecclesiastical

Examples

• The bishop decided to unchurch the minister for his controversial teachings.
• The congregation voted to unchurch members who violated the moral code.
• Historical records show the church unchurched several prominent families.
• The denomination threatened to unchurch any pastor who performed such ceremonies.
• After the scandal, the assembly moved to unchurch the entire local chapter.
• The reformers were unchurched for challenging traditional doctrine.