as in to criticize
to not allow (someone) to be included in a group; to exclude (someone) from a group
She was ostracized by the scientific community for many years because of her radical political beliefs. The other girls ostracized her because of the way she dressed.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ostracize
Though Raq has always acted in the best interests of the family business, her actions have ostracized her from everyone around her.
—
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 May 2025
Israel is ostracized and isolated, reeling from a war that fifty-three per cent of the public says is motivated by Netanyahu’s personal imperatives.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 14 May 2025
What surprised me most was learning of their unique individual paths to success when the second wave feminist movement often isolated and ostracized lesbians.
—Morgan Lieberman, NPR, 26 June 2025
Many of them were ostracized by their families, leading to thousands of abortions and numerous cases of infanticide and suicide.
—Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostracize
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 May 2025
Israel is ostracized and isolated, reeling from a war that fifty-three per cent of the public says is motivated by Netanyahu’s personal imperatives.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 14 May 2025
What surprised me most was learning of their unique individual paths to success when the second wave feminist movement often isolated and ostracized lesbians.
—Morgan Lieberman, NPR, 26 June 2025
Many of them were ostracized by their families, leading to thousands of abortions and numerous cases of infanticide and suicide.
—Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostracize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostracize
Verb
-
Rather than opt for a two-year extension of the current lease, which has been criticized by some residents since it was signed in 1997, the Bengals and the county agreed on a new 11-year lease.—
Erin Glynn,
The Enquirer,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The news comes as Timberlake finishes his two-year Forget Tomorrow World Tour, during which his recent performances had been criticized for being less lively than usual.—
Amber Brenza,
Health,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In June, a woman defaced a Pilsen mural at 16th Street and Ashland Avenue and was accused of attacking another woman who tried to stop her.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
-
Amorim needs a mobile centre forward capable of attacking open space at speed and offering a threat in quick transition.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostracize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostracize. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share