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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Recent Examples of ostracism
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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for ostracism
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for ostracism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostracism
Noun
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Standard risk and exclusion zone guidelines for LNG sites generally extend far beyond 400 feet, precisely because in the event of a release, thermal radiation, vapor dispersion or flash fires could affect areas well outside facility boundaries.—
Joel McPherson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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Families and groups sued the state earlier this month, saying the months-long exclusion of Islamic private schools amounted to religious discrimination.—
Isaac Yu,
Houston Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Widespread protests saw the resignation of senior government officials and the exile of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.—
Sven van Mourik,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
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Marchenko fled Ukraine several years ago, and the complications of being in exile color much of this record.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The humanitarian toll continues to rise as families flee neighborhoods reduced to rubble, and aid groups warn that displacement on this scale is straining Lebanon’s already fragile infrastructure.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Broncos also still have to finalize negotiations with Denver Water around the displacement of their facilities from the Burnham Yard area.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the ruling from the Ethics Committee could fuel a potential vote on her expulsion and divide a Democratic caucus that is trying to make a comeback to power in the November midterm elections.—
STEPHEN GROVES,
Arkansas Online,
28 Mar. 2026
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In April, the committee will recommend a punishment to be voted on by the full House, something that could range from a censure, removal from committees, or expulsion itself.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But how Andrew’s de facto banishment would affect his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, wasn’t known.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
31 Mar. 2026
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Both view the Lebanese government as still completely incapable of disarming Hezbollah, though both were shocked at the new assertiveness of Beirut as seen by Tuesday’s banishment of Iran’s ambassador.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostracism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostracism. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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