ostracism
Americannoun
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exclusion, by general consent, from social acceptance, privileges, friendship, etc.
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(in ancient Greece) temporary banishment of a citizen, decided upon by popular vote.
Etymology
Origin of ostracism
1570–80; < New Latin ostracismus < Greek ostrakismós banishment, equivalent to ostrak ( ízein ) to ostracize + -ismos -ism
Explanation
If you banish someone from society, you've caused that person's ostracism. Quakers, for example, faced ostracism by Puritans in colonial Massachusetts and many of them fled to the nearby colony of Rhode Island. Ostracism comes from the Greek word ostrakon, a broken shard of pottery. Athenians used pieces of pottery as a paper substitute in an annual vote in which citizens chose to banish someone from Athens for a period of ten years. The banished person had to leave (or face death) but was allowed to keep his property and could return when his ostracism was up. The vote was often used to get rid of potential tyrants and political rivals.
Vocabulary lists containing ostracism
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He felt families were given an "impossible choice" – either sign up for medical treatment or face "suspicion and ostracism just for asking to slow things down".
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
In nonviolent settings, it leads to mean-girl-style ostracism or political backstabbing around the corporate watercooler.
From Slate ● Mar. 16, 2026
The press feasted on Duesberg’s self-portrayal as the victim of ostracism arising from professional jealousies — a target of cancel culture before that was a thing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 29, 2026
He insisted on creating odd-looking buildings and incorporating unusual materials, leading to a lengthy period of ostracism and rejection.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
You will face more hate and ridicule and ostracism than you can even begin to fathom.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
