Ostracize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ซ
ostracize
[หษstrษsสษชz ]
Definitions
social
To exclude someone from a group or society by general consent, often as a punishment or means of coercion.
Synonyms
banish, blacklist, exclude, shun.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| ostracize |
Use in situations where someone is deliberately excluded or isolated from a group, often as a form of punishment.
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| exclude |
A general term used to describe leaving someone out from a group, event, or activity. Can be used in various formal or informal contexts.
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| shun |
Implies deliberately avoiding someone or something, often for moral or social reasons. Generally has a negative connotation.
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| banish |
Appropriate when someone is formally or officially forced to leave a place, often as a legal or authoritative decision.
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| blacklist |
Usually used in professional or organizational settings where someone is prevented from being involved or participating due to specific reasons. Often has a negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- They decided to ostracize him from their social circle.
- She felt ostracized by her classmates after the incident.
political
To banish or exile (someone) from a city or society by popular vote.
Synonyms
banish, cast out, exile, expel.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| ostracize |
Use when describing social exclusion, often in a community or social group setting.
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| banish |
Appropriate for formal or official removal, often from a place or position and carries a strong, often dramatic connotation.
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| exile |
Typically refers to forced removal or self-imposed absence from one's country, often with a sense of permanence.
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| expel |
Commonly used in institutional settings like schools or organizations, involving formal removal due to rules violation.
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| cast out |
Best used in a dramatic, often literary sense, to describe forceful exclusion.
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Examples of usage
- They agreed to ostracize the corrupt politician from the government.
- The citizens voted to ostracize the criminal from the community.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'ostracize'
The word 'ostracize' originates from the ancient Greek practice of ostracism, where citizens would vote to exile a person from the city-state for ten years as a way of protecting the democracy from tyranny. The term comes from the Greek word 'ostrakizein', meaning 'to banish by voting with potsherds'. The concept was used as a political tool to maintain balance and order in society.
See also: ostracism, ostracized.