ostracism

noun

os·​tra·​cism ˈä-strə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: a method of temporary banishment by popular vote without trial or special accusation practiced in ancient Greece

Ostracism of political opponents was a common practice in ancient Athens.

2

: exclusion by general consent from common privileges or social acceptance

For years she suffered ostracism from the scientific community.

Ostracism is a common fate for tell-all writers.

—R. S. Coburn

Examples of ostracism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In ancient humans and other primates, reputational damage can bar access to food and mates, incite physical confrontations and, in extreme cases, lead to potentially fatal ostracism. —Clarissa Brincat, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2025

Bans, booing and ostracism The labeling of Israel as a pariah state internationally does not seem to bother the government. —Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 23 Aug. 2025

Jaron was unaware of the ostracism. —Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025

Columbia’s own antisemitism task force found last summer that Jewish students had faced verbal abuse, ostracism and classroom humiliation during the spring 2024 demonstrations. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin ostracismus, borrowed from Greek ostrakismós, from ostrakízein "to ostracize" + -ismos -ism

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ostracism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

ostracism

noun

os·​tra·​cism ˈäs-trə-ˌsiz-əm 

1

: a method of temporary banishment by popular vote without trial practiced in ancient Greece

2

: a general refusal to include someone as part of a social group