Exile

noun; verb (transitive)

/ˈɛɡzaɪl/

The state of being forced to live away from one's own country, typically for political reasons; Subhas Chandra Bose spent years in exile from 1941 to 1945, operating from Germany and then Japanese-controlled Southeast Asia to organise the armed liberation of India.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The decision to exile dissidents rather than engage their grievances often hollows out a polity's moral authority, for a government that silences its critics abroad merely exports the dissent it fears at home.

Synonyms

banishmentexpulsiondeportationexpatriationostracismexclusion

Antonyms

repatriationreturnrestorationhomecoming

🌱 Word Family

exiled (adj), exilic (adj), exile (v), exiles (n pl)

🔡 Root

Latin exsilium = state of banishment; exsul = banished person; Old French essil; attested c. 1330

📜 Etymology

From Middle English exil, from Old French essil, from Latin exsilium ("state of banishment"), from exsul ("banished person"); first attested in English c. 1330.

🧠 Memory Hook

"Ex-" means OUT, and exile sends you OUT — picture being shown the EXIT and forbidden to come back, marching down a lonely AISLE away from home.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Subhas Chandra Bose & the INA

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