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

Dissenting opinion brings ostracism, loss of work and grants and friendships. —Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

But this ostracism has also been felt more widely across Israeli society, including among the large numbers of Israelis who oppose the war. —Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025

For partners using the silent treatment, these were the effects: People with high self-esteem were more likely to use ostracism as a relationship-ending strategy and were also more likely to walk away from partners who used it against them. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

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

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