ostracism

noun

Definition of ostracismnext
1
as in exclusion
treatment that is deliberately exclusionary Teenagers may act against their better judgement to avoid social ostracism.

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2
as in exile
the forced removal from a homeland His family celebrated his safe return after nearly a decade of political ostracism.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ostracism Invisible exiles lose families—parents, siblings, partners, children—and endure social ostracism. — Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026 The press feasted on Duesberg’s self-portrayal as the victim of ostracism arising from professional jealousies — a target of cancel culture before that was a thing. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026 The family struggled with ostracism and loneliness. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025 Dissenting opinion brings ostracism, loss of work and grants and friendships. — Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ostracism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostracism
  1. exclusion
  2. exile
  3. displacement
  4. expulsion
  5. banishment
Noun
  • As such, it could be easily exported to describe Jewish quarters elsewhere—and eventually adapted to describe sites of confinement or exclusion the world over.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Until then, the fund's current ethical guidelines and exclusion framework remain unchanged.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of exclusion
Noun
  • The selection embraces widely different approaches to filmmaking, from formally experimental work to more accessible independent productions, while exploring political upheaval, memory, exile and intimate family relationships.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Boris Berezovsky and Vladimir Gusinsky, whose television networks refused to bend the knee, were driven into exile within the year.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of exile
Noun
  • Displaced Filmmakers Need More Than a Platform War and displacement continue to shape filmmaking across the Arab world, affecting not only the stories reaching screens but the filmmakers trying to build careers.
    — Essie Assibu, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Through loss, displacement, uncertainty and the sometimes unbearable weight of impermanence, people have endured.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of displacement
Noun
  • For those who remained, citizenship became a form of insurance against expulsion; once they were designated as citizens of Israel, their removal became legally much more difficult.
    — Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The cases are then reviewed by a panel of faculty and staff, which can impose punishments ranging from verbal warnings to suspension or expulsion.
    — Casey Tolan, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of expulsion
Noun
  • Carol’s return and redemption, after her banishment from the group, was a thrilling turn for the character, so evocatively rendered by Melissa McBride over these many seasons.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In a memo later Monday morning, the White House TV pool had been suspended given CNN’s banishment.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of banishment

Browse Nearby Words

ostentatiousness
ostracism
ostracisms
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Cite this Entry

“Ostracism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostracism. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ostracism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ostracism

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