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

Innocent people were fired from their jobs and ostracized by their communities.

Read more on Literature

It hosts many animals that previously were injured, ostracized from their social groups or illegally kept as pets — such as Neil.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Anyone presenting information not approved by the ruler is denounced and belittled, ostracized and denied access.

Read more on Salon

A robbery suspect sucker-punched him, he says, and his colleagues ostracized him for failing to retaliate with a beating.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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