ostracism

[ os-truh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. exclusion, by general consent, from social acceptance, privileges, friendship, etc.
2. (in ancient Greece) temporary banishment of a citizen, decided upon by popular vote.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostracism¹

1570–80; < New Latin ostracismus < Greek ostrakismós banishment, equivalent to ostrak ( ízein ) to ostracize + -ismos -ism

Example Sentences

"That review identified evidence of a concerning practice of social ostracism among students, often referred to as a cancel culture," the coroner said.

From BBC

Lamentably, there were expressions of antisemitism and ostracism on campuses last year that created a feeling of discomfort among Jewish students, staff and faculty members, particularly those who strongly support Israel.

From Los Angeles Times

The use of the word “clean” on dating apps served as a regular reminder that the epidemic may have subsided, but ostracism remained.

From Los Angeles Times

For gay men and women, 1950s conformity enforced by McCarthyism meant that the revelation of their sexuality could lead to financial ruin, ostracism and even worse.

From Los Angeles Times

For many, that equates to the right of the Jewish people to have their own state and self-determination in an ancestral homeland after centuries of oppression and ostracism in much of the world.

From Los Angeles Times