ostracize

verb

os·​tra·​cize ˈä-strə-ˌsīz 

ostracized; ostracizing

transitive verb

1

: to exile by ostracism

Despite his victories, Themistocles was ostracized by the Athenians.

2

: to exclude from a group by common consent

a lonely dissenter, ostracized as an enemy of the people

—Robert Brustein

Did you know?

Ostracize Has Greek Roots

In ancient Greece, citizens whose power or influence threatened the stability of the state could be exiled by a practice called ostracism. Voters would elect to banish another citizen by writing that citizen's name down on a potsherd. Those receiving enough votes would then be subject to temporary exile from the state. Ostracize originated with the meaning "to exile by the ancient method of ostracism," but these days it usually refers to the general exclusion of a person from a group at the agreement of its members.

Examples of ostracize in a Sentence

She was ostracized from the scientific community for many years because of her radical political beliefs.

The other girls ostracized her because of the way she dressed.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the sun and Chiron harmonize, fears of being ostracized or abandoned are faced and resolved. —USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

Rudolph is ostracized by other reindeer because he was born with a shiny, glowing red nose. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024

There’s a level of being ostracized through fame, but everybody goes through it. —Rachel Wilkerson Miller, SELF, 4 Dec. 2024

Featuring the music of Johnny Marks (including the title tune Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), the TV special follows a young reindeer (Billie Mae Richards) who is ostracized because of his red, shiny and glowing nose. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek ostrakízein "(in 5th-century Athens) to banish an individual chosen after a vote taken by writing names on potsherds," from óstrakon "earthen vessel, potsherd" + -izein -ize — more at ostracon

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

ostracize

verb

os·​tra·​cize ˈäs-trə-ˌsīz 

ostracized; ostracizing

: to force to leave or refuse to include by ostracism

Etymology

from Greek ostrakizein "to banish by voting with pottery fragments," from ostrakon "shell, pottery fragment"

Word Origin

The ancient Greek word ostrakon had several meanings, including "a shell" and "a fragment of pottery." Such pottery fragments were used in ancient Athens as ballots in a particular kind of popular vote. Once a year the citizens would gather in the marketplace to decide who, if anyone, should be forced to go away temporarily for the good of the city. Each voter wrote a name on an ostrakon. If enough votes were cast against one person, then that person was sent away from the city, or ostracized.