ostracize

[ os-truh-sahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, os·tra·cized, os·tra·ciz·ing.

1. to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.:

   His friends ostracized him after his father's arrest.

   Synonyms: blacklist, snub, shun

   Antonyms: accept

2. to banish (a person) from their native country; expatriate.
3. (in ancient Greece) to banish (a citizen) temporarily by popular vote.

ostracize

/ ˈɒstrəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to exclude or banish (a person) from a particular group, society, etc
2. (in ancient Greece) to punish by temporary exile

Derived Forms

• ˈostracism, noun
• ˈostraˌcizable, adjective
• ˈostraˌcizer, noun

Other Words From

• os·tra·ciz·a·ble adjective
• os·tra·ci·za·tion [os-tr, uh, -sahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• os·tra·ciz·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostracize¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Greek ostrakízein, equivalent to óstrak(on) “potsherd, tile, ballot” (akin to óstreion oyster ( def ) ) + -izein -ize ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostracize¹

C17: from Greek ostrakizein to select someone for banishment by voting on potsherds; see ostracon

Example Sentences

As the far-right conspiracy theories circulate and Trump and Vance continue to espouse anti-immigrant rhetoric, they further ostracize Springfield, Aurora and Dayton's immigrant populations, posing a threat to their safety and impacting their quality of life.

From Salon

Linda refuses to accept an older man’s sexual harassment, but she doesn’t ostracize him either.

From Salon

Some Western governments, meanwhile, are caught in a delicate dance between not wanting to ostracize Trump as a potential next U.S. president and the need to respect the U.S. justice system.

From Seattle Times

Others warned that it was an expensive exercise that would consolidate political power with the most hard-line voters in both parties and ostracize the hundreds of thousands of Louisiana voters who are not affiliated with a party.

From New York Times

“It is never my intent to ostracize or diminish.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• blackball
• blacklist
• exclude
• excommunicate
• expel
• shun
• snub