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Blackballed: meaning, definitions and examples

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blackballed

 

[ ˈblakˌbɔld ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

social exclusion

To be blackballed means to be excluded from a group or organization, typically through a voting process or collective decision. This term often refers to situations where a person's membership or participation is denied based on the group's consensus. The act of blackballing is often associated with secretive social organizations. It illustrates the power of group dynamics and the impact of collective opinion on individual opportunities.

Synonyms

excluded, ostracized, shunned

Examples of usage

  • He was blackballed from the club after his controversial remarks.
  • The actress was rumored to be blackballed by several Hollywood producers.
  • After the scandal, many people feared they would be blackballed in their industry.
  • His unethical actions led to him being blackballed in the community.

Translations

Translations of the word "blackballed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 excluído

🇮🇳 बैन किया हुआ

🇩🇪 schwarzgelistet

🇮🇩 dilarang

🇺🇦 виключений

🇵🇱 wykluczony

🇯🇵 排除された

🇫🇷 exclu

🇪🇸 excluido

🇹🇷 dışlanmış

🇰🇷 제외된

🇸🇦 مطرود

🇨🇿 vyloučený

🇸🇰 vylúčený

🇨🇳 被排除的

🇸🇮 izključen

🇮🇸 útilokaður

🇰🇿 шығарылған

🇬🇪 გამორიცხული

🇦🇿 qadağan olunmuş

🇲🇽 excluido

Word origin

The term 'blackball' originated in the 18th century and is believed to have its roots in the practice of using black and white balls to vote in secret, particularly in clubs and societies. When individuals were proposed for membership, a black ball would signify a negative vote, while a white ball would signify acceptance. The practice was notably used in elite organizations and clubs, expressing disapproval or rejection without public announcement. Over time, the meaning expanded beyond physical voting with balls to signify any form of social ostracism or exclusion. Today, 'blackballed' is used in various contexts, illustrating the implications of collective decision-making on individual reputation and acceptance in society.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,222, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.