ostracize

[ os-truh-sahyz ]
See synonyms for: ostracizeostracizedostracization on Thesaurus.com

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.

  2. to banish (a person) from their native country; expatriate.

  1. (in ancient Greece) to banish (a citizen) temporarily by popular vote.

Origin of ostracize

1
First recorded in 1640–50; from Greek ostrakízein, equivalent to óstrak(on) “potsherd, tile, ballot” (akin to óstreion oyster ) + -izein -ize
  • Also especially British, os·tra·cise .

Other words for ostracize

Opposites for ostracize

Other words from ostracize

  • os·tra·ciz·a·ble, adjective
  • os·tra·ci·za·tion [os-truh-sahy-zey-shuhn], /ˌɒs trəˌsaɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun
  • os·tra·ciz·er, noun

Words Nearby ostracize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ostracize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ostracize

ostracize

ostracise

/ (ˈɒstrəˌsaɪz) /


verb(tr)
  1. to exclude or banish (a person) from a particular group, society, etc

  2. (in ancient Greece) to punish by temporary exile

Origin of ostracize

1
C17: from Greek ostrakizein to select someone for banishment by voting on potsherds; see ostracon

Derived forms of ostracize

  • ostracism, noun
  • ostracizable or ostracisable, adjective
  • ostracizer or ostraciser, noun

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