as in to criticize
to not allow (someone) to be included in a group; to exclude (someone) from a group
She was ostracized by the scientific community for many years because of her radical political beliefs. The other girls ostracized her because of the way she dressed.
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Recent Examples of ostracize
The former prince Andrew has been pretty much ostracized from the British royal family since his arrest.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Mar. 2026
They’ve been ostracized from an industry that, for one dramatic night in March 2003, celebrated them as winners.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
Rather than be ostracized for a blocking gaffe in the 2023 team’s overtime loss in the Super Bowl, Burford worked toward becoming a swing tackle, then replaced Bartch at left guard.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Decent citizens must ostracize those among them who toy with Hitlerism.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostracize
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Mar. 2026
They’ve been ostracized from an industry that, for one dramatic night in March 2003, celebrated them as winners.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
Rather than be ostracized for a blocking gaffe in the 2023 team’s overtime loss in the Super Bowl, Burford worked toward becoming a swing tackle, then replaced Bartch at left guard.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Decent citizens must ostracize those among them who toy with Hitlerism.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostracize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostracize
Verb
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His fall was celebrated on Sunday by both Democrats and Republicans, some of whom criticized their own administration for such overt support for the Hungarian leader.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Leo's recent public comments on social media criticizing the war, have even led some to speculate whether the president actually threatened him.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That was outrageous – not merely to the teachers unions who denounced it as racist and uninformed but to their allies in the mainstream media.—
Will Swaim,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
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Also, don’t discount Republican efforts to suppress the vote by denouncing or restricting voting by mail.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When Sibomana-Rodriguez was 6 years old and living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he, his cousin and his brother were attacked by a swarm of chimpanzees.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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Be sure that the rear lure always has a hook, as the bass typically key in on the ‘straggler’ when attacking a ball of bait.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostracize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostracize. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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