What does ostracize mean?
Ostracize means to exclude someone from a group, community, or social relationship, usually by treating them with conspicuous rejection. The word often describes the deliberate hostility of an entire group toward an individual, as when colleagues stop speaking to a discredited person or a community refuses to include an unwelcome member. It carries a strong connotation of social isolation and can imply that the rejection is sustained rather than merely occasional. Although ostracize is now most often used figuratively, its name comes from an ancient Athenian practice in which citizens voted to exile a political figure for ten years without a formal accusation. Today, the verb is useful for describing exclusion that goes beyond ordinary disagreement: it captures both the action of banishing someone and the resulting isolation. It is generally a formal word, especially common in political, social, and historical discussion.
verbTo exclude someone from a group or society, especially by deliberately refusing to associate with them. It can also refer to formally banishing someone from a community.
- To exclude or shun someone from a group, community, or social circle.
- To formally banish or exile someone from a community, especially in a historical or political context.
"The committee ostracized the member after refusing to accept the findings of the inquiry."
"After the allegations became public, her former colleagues began to ostracize her."
"The citizens of Athens used ostracism to exile a prominent political leader without bringing him to trial."
In ancient Athens, citizens could be ostracized without a formal accusation: their names were written on pottery shards, and the person selected could be exiled for ten years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ostracize come from?
Ostracize comes from Greek ostrakizein, “to ostracize,” which is derived from ostrakon, meaning a tile, potsherd, or shell. In ancient Athens, citizens’ votes were written on pottery shards, and the person receiving the most votes could be banished for ten years. The English word was borrowed in the early 17th century, with related forms such as ostracism developing from the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How ostracize is actually used
The word is formal and often suggests deliberate, sustained social exclusion rather than a temporary disagreement. In modern usage it is commonly figurative, while its historical sense refers to the ancient Athenian institution of ostracism.
Easily confused with ostracize
Ostracise is the traditional British spelling, while ostracize is the standard American spelling; both have the same meaning.