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
  • The closing agent may not need to issue the form if the sale of your principal residence qualifies for the home sale capital gains exclusion.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The court ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by the small pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina, which sought Yabloko’s exclusion from the election.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of exclusion
Noun
  • Others are organizing underground schools to fill gaps in education and collaborating closely with Afghans in exile to prepare legal action against the Taliban’s abuses.
    — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Castro was captured and later released, then went into exile in Mexico.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of exile
Noun
  • And in some cases, courts are ruling that worker displacement is unlawful.
    — Jennifer Pak, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Zuckerberg noted that people fear automation will outpace individuals’ capability to get smarter and better at their jobs, leading to job displacement.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of displacement
Noun
  • One sign of Rhaenyra's power play is her expulsion of adviser and one-time lover Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), who served as the queen's conscience.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • If this committee finds Ammons at fault on any charge, the committee would make a disciplinary recommendation, which could be a reprimand, censure, expulsion from the House or no penalty.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of expulsion
Noun
  • The self-banishment of UEFA sides would raise the prospect of greater diversity, with Europe having won six of the past eight tournaments and accounting for most of the teams in the competition’s latter stages.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Violations give the commissioner broad authority to impose severe penalties, ranging from fines and suspensions to permanent banishment in order to protect the integrity of the league.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ostracism

Nglish: Translation of ostracism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ostracism

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