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ostracize

[ os-truh-sahyz ]
/ ˈɒs trəˌsaɪz /
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See synonyms for: ostracize / ostracized / ostracization on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), os·tra·cized, os·tra·ciz·ing.
to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.: His friends ostracized him after his father's arrest.
to banish (a person) from their native country; expatriate.
(in ancient Greece) to banish (a citizen) temporarily by popular vote.
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Also especially British, os·tra·cise .

Origin of ostracize

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

OTHER WORDS FROM ostracize

os·tra·ciz·a·ble, adjectiveos·tra·ci·za·tion, nounos·tra·ciz·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to ostracize

blackball, blacklist, exclude, excommunicate, expel, shun, snub, avoid, boycott, cold-shoulder, cut, deport, displace, drop, expatriate, oust, reject, cast out, expulse, shut out

How to use ostracize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ostracize

ostracize

ostracise

/ (ˈɒstrəˌsaɪz) /
verb (tr)
to exclude or banish (a person) from a particular group, society, etc
(in ancient Greece) to punish by temporary exile

Derived forms of ostracize

ostracism, nounostracizable or ostracisable, adjectiveostracizer or ostraciser, noun

Word Origin for ostracize

C17: from Greek ostrakizein to select someone for banishment by voting on potsherds; see ostracon
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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