Ostracize: meaning, definitions and examples

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ostracize

[ ˈɒstrəsʌɪz ]

^{Context #1}

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

Examples of usage

They decided to ostracize him from their social circle.
She felt ostracized by her classmates after the incident.

^{Context #2}

political

To banish or exile (someone) from a city or society by popular vote.

Synonyms

banish, cast out, exile, expel

Examples of usage

They agreed to ostracize the corrupt politician from the government.
The citizens voted to ostracize the criminal from the community.

Translations

Translations of the word "ostracize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ostracizar

🇮🇳 बहिष्कृत करना

🇩🇪 ächten

🇮🇩 mengucilkan

🇺🇦 остракізувати

🇵🇱 wykluczać

🇯🇵 村八分にする (むらはちぶにする)

🇫🇷 ostraciser

🇪🇸 ostracizar

🇹🇷 dışlamak

🇰🇷 추방하다

🇸🇦 نَبَذَ

🇨🇿 ostrakizovat

🇸🇰 ostrakizovať

🇨🇳 放逐 (fàngzhú)

🇸🇮 izključiti

🇮🇸 útskúfa

🇰🇿 шеттету

🇬🇪 გარიცხვა

🇦🇿 kənarlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 ostracizar

Word origin

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.