What does ostracized mean?
Ostracized means excluded from a group, community, or shared social space. The word suggests more than simple absence: it normally implies that people are being deliberately rejected, ignored, or treated as outsiders, often because of a disagreement, controversy, or perceived betrayal. In modern usage, it commonly appears in political and social contexts, such as when a person is ostracized by colleagues, fans, classmates, or members of an institution. The expression carries a formal, strongly negative tone and may describe exclusion that is not officially announced or legally imposed but is nevertheless socially meaningful. Its historical connection gives it additional force. The word derives from ostracism in ancient Athens, a procedure in which citizens could vote to send a prominent political figure into exile without formal charges. Ostracized is therefore useful when describing exclusion that isolates someone from the community or denies them participation and recognition.
verb (past participle)To exclude someone from a group, community, or social sphere, especially as a form of rejection or punishment. The term can also describe the condition of being subjected to such exclusion.
- To exclude a person from a group, community, or social sphere, especially as a form of rejection, hostility, or punishment.
"After opposing the proposal, she found herself ostracized by colleagues who had once supported her."
"The new employee was ostracized by the team after a disagreement with its manager."
"Many fans felt ostracized by the organization after the announcement."
The word preserves an ancient Greek practice: in Athens, a citizen could be ostracized by having his name written on a pottery shard, without an accusation or trial.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ostracized come from?
The English verb comes from Ancient Greek ostrakizein, “to ostracize,” which was derived from ostrakon, “pottery shard” or “tile.” In ancient Athens, voters wrote the names of people they wished to exclude from the city on pottery shards, giving the practice its modern associations with political exile. The English word emerged in the early 17th century from this Greek root and later developed the broader social meaning of exclusion from a group.
Related word forms
How ostracized is actually used
This is a formal word with a strongly negative connotation. It usually describes deliberate or socially effective exclusion, and can be used in political, social, institutional, and workplace contexts. British and American usage is broadly similar.