ostracize

verb

os·tra·cize | \ ˈä-strə-ˌsīz

ostracized; ostracizing

Definition of ostracize

1 : to exile by ostracism Despite his victories, Themistocles was ostracized by the Athenians.

2 : to exclude from a group by common consent a lonely dissenter, ostracized as an enemy of the people —Robert Brustein

ostracize Has Greek Roots More Example Sentences Learn More about ostracize

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ostracize Has Greek Roots

In ancient Greece, prominent citizens whose power or influence threatened the stability of the state could be exiled by a practice called ostracism. Voters would elect to banish another citizen by writing that citizen's name down on a potsherd. Those receiving enough votes would then be subject to temporary exile from the state (usually for ten years). The English verb ostracize can mean "to exile by the ancient method of ostracism," but these days it usually refers to the general exclusion of one person from a group at the agreement of its members. Ostracism and ostracize derive from the Greek ostrakizein ("to banish by voting with potsherds"). Its ancestor, the Greek ostrakon ("shell" or "potsherd"), also helped to give English the word oyster.

Examples of ostracize in a Sentence

She was ostracized from the scientific community for many years because of her radical political beliefs. The other girls ostracized her because of the way she dressed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wayne Rooney has retired from international soccer; Joe Hart has been ostracized. — Rory Smith, New York Times, "Dele Alli and England Drop Their Guard and Their Past," 18 June 2018 Both have been recently ostracized, for very different reasons: Lily was expelled for plagiarism, jeopardizing her college prospects. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "Cory Finley's 'Thoroughbreds' is a delectably twisted mean-girls noir," 8 Mar. 2018 This is about criminalizing and ostracizing female conservatives for being female and conservative. — Fox News, "Kellyanne Conway responds to Democrats' calls to abolish ICE," 3 July 2018 Backers say he shouldn't be ostracized for something that happened so long ago. — Michael Tarm, chicagotribune.com, "Ex-priest who abused child allowed access to Chicago schools," 22 June 2018 We do get ostracized by our own brothers, and yes, especially by white gay men. — Jaya Saxena, GQ, "Pose's Mj Rodriguez Is Ready to Be a Spokesperson," 22 June 2018 Working in the media the last seven years, trying to stand up for Palestine wherever possible — though sometimes feeling ostracized for it by coworkers — made me feel anything but privileged. — Rawan Eewshah, Teen Vogue, "Fighting for Palestine Is Never Easy — Even With Privilege Like Mine," 24 Apr. 2018 After the parents left the faith, the Stuarts were ostracized by the Kingdom Hall — the churches where Jehovah's Witnesses worship — community in Union Lake and their families, friends said. — Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, "Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses break silence on shunning: 'My mother treats me like I'm dead'," 18 Mar. 2018 Appignani contends that atheists are one of the few minority groups in the country to still be widely ostracized by society. — Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, "How Should Atheism Be Taught?," 31 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ostracize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.