ostracize

verb

os·​tra·​cize ˈä-strə-ˌsīz How to pronounce ostracize (audio)
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 peopleRobert Brustein

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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 For his part, Bonneville says his performance was less informed by present-day cancelations than 17th century writer Samuel Pepys, who was nearly ostracized after his clerk was accused of murder. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 26 Feb. 2024 In your story, however, Kevin and his family seem to be outcasts, ostracized by their peers and, in his father’s case, resentful of their dependence on the government. Dennis Zhou, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ostracize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ostracize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ostracize was in 1649

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Dictionary Entries Near ostracize

Cite this Entry

“Ostracize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostracize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ostracize

verb
os·​tra·​cize ˈäs-trə-ˌsīz How to pronounce ostracize (audio)
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.
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