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
As a consolation, Bradley invites Linda on a trip to Bangkok to discuss the company’s merger plans, but she’s immediately ostracized on the private plane, where the men gather around a laptop to mock her Survivor audition tape.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The latter denies it, but his behavior responds to the fear of being ostracized if any suspicions were to arise.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
In a society where boys and young men, particularly Black and brown males, feel overlooked, ostracized and dismissed, this school represents a safe space.
—Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
He’s been ostracized by the police and he was set up.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Israel is still internationally ostracized over its war in Gaza, and by recognizing Somaliland, the country risks antagonizing its regional neighbors and the global community.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
Our clients have been bullied, harassed, and ostracized by CSU reps simply for being Jewish and supporting Israel, and many more are coming forward.
—Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
After being ostracized and underestimated by the aliens for so long, Spider is finally welcomed into the Na’vi family, and the movie abruptly cuts to black.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
Rudolph is ostracized by other reindeer because he was born with a shiny, glowing red nose.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The latter denies it, but his behavior responds to the fear of being ostracized if any suspicions were to arise.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
In a society where boys and young men, particularly Black and brown males, feel overlooked, ostracized and dismissed, this school represents a safe space.
—Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
He’s been ostracized by the police and he was set up.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Israel is still internationally ostracized over its war in Gaza, and by recognizing Somaliland, the country risks antagonizing its regional neighbors and the global community.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
Our clients have been bullied, harassed, and ostracized by CSU reps simply for being Jewish and supporting Israel, and many more are coming forward.
—Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
After being ostracized and underestimated by the aliens for so long, Spider is finally welcomed into the Na’vi family, and the movie abruptly cuts to black.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
Rudolph is ostracized by other reindeer because he was born with a shiny, glowing red nose.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostracized
Verb
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Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Valieva’s coach, Eteri Tutberidze, is one of the most prominent figures in a coaching culture that has long been criticized for prioritizing thinness, disordered eating, and early peak performance over athletes’ well-being.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The book's Japanese translator was murdered, and others associated with it were attacked.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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Because as Bam Adebayo attacked a second-quarter offensive rebound with seemingly nothing but open air space toward the rim, teammate Kel’el Ware had similar thoughts of contesting that same carom of that Davion Mitchell errant attempt.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rojas was never treated by a physician while at El Helicoide, where human rights groups have denounced cases of cruel, inhuman treatment and torture.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
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Officials have denounced it as a bullying tactic.—
Ryan Murphy,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostracized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostracized. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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