ostracize
What does "ostracize" mean?
To ostracize someone is to deliberately exclude them from a group or social circle. Imagine a person standing alone while everyone else turns their back, refusing to speak to or acknowledge them; it is a powerful form of social rejection that goes beyond simple dislike. The term is often used in political or professional contexts to describe a group consensus to shun an individual. It implies a collective action rather than a personal one, and it carries a heavy weight of isolation and social punishment.
"ostracize" in conversation
Office gossip
Are we really going to ignore Mark at the meeting?
Are we really going to ignore Mark at the meeting?
It’s the only way to show we don't support his actions. We’re ostracizing him until he apologizes.
It’s the only way to show we don't support his actions. We’re ostracizing him until he apologizes.
Used to describe a deliberate, collective effort to ignore someone.
Historical discussion
In ancient Athens, citizens were ostracized to prevent tyrants from rising.
In ancient Athens, citizens were ostracized to prevent tyrants from rising.
So it was a formal way to banish them?
So it was a formal way to banish them?
Refers to the historical root of the word involving formal exile.
"ostracize" in a sentence
They decided to ostracize him after he lied to the team.
They decided to ostracize him after he lied to the team.
She felt ostracized by her colleagues because of her dissenting opinion.
She felt ostracized by her colleagues because of her dissenting opinion.
The community ostracized the family, forcing them to move to another town to escape the stigma.
The community ostracized the family, forcing them to move to another town to escape the stigma.
