exclusion
ik-SKLOO-zhun
/ɪkˈskluːʒən/
The process or state of excluding or being excluded.
Often refers to the act of keeping someone or something out, or the state of being left out. It can be deliberate or systemic, and often has negative social or emotional consequences.
The story behind the word. Like its counterpart 'inclusion,' the word 'exclusion' also comes from the Latin verb 'claudere,' meaning 'to shut.' However, this time it's paired with the prefix 'ex-,' meaning 'out' or 'from.' So, 'exclusion' literally means 'to shut out' or 'to close off from.' This ancient root perfectly captures the modern sense of being kept out of a group, a conversation, or an opportunity, highlighting the deliberate act of separation.
Word relationships
- rejection: The act of refusing to accept or consider something; often more personal.
- ostracism: Exclusion from a society or group, often as a punishment.
- banishment: The punishment of being sent away from a country or place.
- inclusion: The action or state of including or being included within a group or structure.
- acceptance: The act of receiving someone or something favorably.
- integration: The action or process of combining two or more things in an effective way.
Commonly confused with
- isolation: 'Isolation' is the state of being alone; 'exclusion' is the act or process of being kept apart by others.
Word family
- exclude (verb): To deny (someone) access to or bar (someone) from a place, group, or privilege.
- exclusive (adjective): Restricting admission or membership to a select group or class of people.
Collocations
- social exclusion
- exclusion from a group
- risk of exclusion
- prevent exclusion
- deliberate exclusion
Example sentences
- "Social exclusion can lead to feelings of isolation and significantly impact an individual's well-being." In social justice discussions.
- "The contract contained an exclusion clause, specifying certain conditions under which coverage would not apply." In a legal document.
- "The school worked to prevent the exclusion of students with learning disabilities from mainstream activities." Describing educational practices.
Memory hook
To be 'ex-cluded' is to be 'shut out' (ex- means out). Shut out
When not to use
Do not use 'exclusion' for a simple choice not to participate; it implies being actively kept out or prevented from joining.
Fun facts
- Many words related to closing or opening, like 'clause,' 'cloister,' and 'conclude,' share the same Latin root 'claudere'.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.