ostracize
C2Formal, Academic
Definition
Meaning
To exclude someone from a society or group, either formally or by social consent.
To deliberately ignore, avoid, or shun a person; to banish or exile, typically as a punishment or expression of disapproval, but not necessarily through legal means. Often implies a collective social action.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deliberate, often sustained, exclusion initiated by a group or community against an individual. Connotes strong disapproval and social punishment. Historically linked to the Athenian political practice of ostracism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Both use 'ostracise' as a variant spelling, though 'ostracize' is more common in modern publishing globally.
Connotations
Both share strong connotations of social exile and punishment. Slightly more likely to appear in historical/political contexts in British English.
Frequency
Low-frequency, formal word in both varieties. Equally likely in academic, political, or sociological writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: Group/Community] + ostracize + [Object: Person][Person] + be/become/get + ostracized + (by [Group]) + (for [Reason])[Person] + be/become/get + ostracized + from [Group/Community]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sent to Coventry (UK, specific synonym)”
- “Given the cold shoulder”
- “Frozen out”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used in HR contexts re: workplace bullying or toxic culture ('He was ostracized by his team after blowing the whistle').
Academic
Common in sociology, history, political science, and psychology to describe social exclusion mechanisms.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used for serious, prolonged social exclusion, not minor snubs.
Technical
Used in social psychology to describe a specific form of social aggression and rejection.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- After the scandal, the entire village ostracised the family for decades.
- The committee moved to ostracise any member who broke the code of conduct.
- She felt utterly ostracised at the new school.
American English
- The political party effectively ostracized anyone who disagreed with the leader.
- Workers who complained about safety were ostracized by management.
- He was ostracized from the online community for his controversial posts.
adverb
British English
- N/A. No standard adverb form. Use 'in an ostracizing manner' periphrastically.
American English
- N/A. No standard adverb form. Use 'in an ostracizing way' periphrastically.
adjective
British English
- The ostracised journalist found it hard to get work. (less common, participial adjective)
- An ostracised member of parliament.
- She lived an ostracised existence on the edge of town.
American English
- He played the role of the ostracized genius. (participial adjective)
- Ostracized individuals often experience severe mental health issues.
- The book tells the story of an ostracized immigrant family.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The other children ostracized him because he was different.
- Nobody talked to her; she was ostracized.
- After the argument, he was completely ostracized by his former friends.
- The community decided to ostracize the family for their refusal to follow traditions.
- The academic was ostracized by her peers for challenging the dominant theory.
- Fear of being ostracized is a powerful mechanism for enforcing social conformity in many cultures.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an OSTRICH hiding its head in the sand, ignoring everything. To OSTRACIZE is for a group to 'hide' someone from social view by ignoring them.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A CONTAINER / THE GROUP IS A BODY. Exclusion is removal from the container or expulsion from the body.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'бойкотировать' (to boycott) – бойкот обычно направлен на вещи/действия, ostracize – на человека.
- Ближе по значению к 'изгнать из общества', 'отвергнуть', 'предать остракизму' (исторически).
- Не является прямым синонимом 'игнорировать' (ignore), так как подразумевает коллективное и длительное действие.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for temporary or minor snubbing (overuse).
- Confusing with 'ostrich-like' behavior.
- Incorrect: 'They ostracized the idea.' (Used for people/groups, not ideas).
- Misspelling as 'ostricize' or 'ostracise' (latter is a variant).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates the meaning of 'ostracize'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Ignore' is individual and can be passive or temporary. 'Ostracize' implies a deliberate, often collective and sustained, social exclusion as a form of punishment.
No. 'Ostracize' applies almost exclusively to people or social groups. For ideas or objects, use 'reject', 'ban', or 'boycott'.
It comes from the ancient Greek 'ostrakon', meaning a potsherd or shell. In Athenian democracy, citizens wrote names on these sherds to vote for the temporary exile (ostracism) of a public figure.
Yes. It belongs to a formal register and describes a severe form of social rejection. It is not used for simple arguments or brief periods of not talking.