as in criticized
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 ostracized
Types of Peer Pressure Most kids strongly desire to fit in and are especially sensitive to being picked on, made fun of, or ostracized.
—
Amy Morin, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
Despite that, Shah claims Maxwell was not ostracized inside the facility and appeared to receive preferential treatment.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Pariah The word pariah is an offensive term in India, but in American and British English it is often used to refer to a person or entity (such as a state) that has been ostracized from a group.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
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
Mounds of floral tributes piled up outside the gates of Buckingham Palace and Diana’s home at Kensington Palace to mourn a princess who had been ostracized by the royal family after her divorce from Charles in 1992.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Jackson also touched on sports at a time when Black athletes were ostracized for kneeling during the national anthem.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Amy Morin, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
Despite that, Shah claims Maxwell was not ostracized inside the facility and appeared to receive preferential treatment.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Pariah The word pariah is an offensive term in India, but in American and British English it is often used to refer to a person or entity (such as a state) that has been ostracized from a group.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
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
Mounds of floral tributes piled up outside the gates of Buckingham Palace and Diana’s home at Kensington Palace to mourn a princess who had been ostracized by the royal family after her divorce from Charles in 1992.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Jackson also touched on sports at a time when Black athletes were ostracized for kneeling during the national anthem.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostracized
Verb
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Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and a physician, criticized the medical establishment for being closed-minded about treatments recommended by non-physicians.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Glendon Hall, who leads the Miami Beach Black Affairs Advisory Committee, criticized the police at the time.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While Hungary is a member of the European Union, Orbán has repeatedly attacked the it and clashed with his European counterparts on several issues, including Russia's war in Ukraine, using his veto power to try to block the EU's efforts to support Ukraine.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Milton residents are voicing safety concerns in the Blue Hills Reservation after Massachusetts State Police say a man stabbed a dog that allegedly attacked him.—
Samantha Chaney,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Later, some passengers were forced to get off buses as protesters denounced the government’s fuel price increase.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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During his first Palm Sunday address, the pontiff denounced those who use God to justify war and urged prayers for peace, particularly for those suffering in the Middle East.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostracized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostracized. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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