ostracize

especially British, os·tra·cise

[os-truh-sahyz]

verb (used with object)

ostracized, ostracizing 

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

Other Word Forms

• ostracizable adjective
• ostracization noun
• ostracizer noun
• ostracism 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

Still, the version that did make it to the screen, where Elio feels ostracized because of his obsession with extraterrestrial life and all its possibilities, remains relevant.

From Los Angeles Times

Sparks and season-ticket holders for Angel City Football Club, wondering why there weren’t any bars in Los Angeles where they could comfortably watch women’s sports without feeling ostracized.

From Los Angeles Times

So long as Latinos remain silenced, ostracized and relegated to the periphery in conversations about the future of this nation, that future remains bleak.

From Los Angeles Times

You can get ostracized from some chat groups.

From Los Angeles Times

The night ends early, and Craig is ostracized from the group.

From Salon

Related Words

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