ostracize

verb

Definition of ostracizenext
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.

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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 Carlos and Smith were ostracized for their actions for decades. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026 At the same time, sports stars such as the former tennis champion Martina Navratilova—a lesbian who is a longtime LGBTQ-rights campaigner—have been ostracized after speaking in favor of restricting the women’s category to biological females. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 Their rivals were a candid, impudent pair, the schoolgirlish Shakira and a throaty American bottle-service girl named Toni, both incapable of conniving their way into romance, prone to heartbreak, and swiftly ostracized for their overt judgment of other islanders. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 As if the police brutality were not sufficient punishment, certain friends and relatives ostracized the Mashininis. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ostracize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostracize
  1. criticize
  2. denounce
  3. attack
Verb
  • Wasserman Schultz was sharply criticized by Black community leaders and the other four candidates, who are all African American, for running in this district.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Ba's novels explored women caught between traditional upbringing and modern aspirations, criticizing polygamy, widespread in the country, and patriarchy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Wasserman Schultz and Moskowitz denounced the statement at the time.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In his address, Carrillo denounced the conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center located in his district.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of denounce
Verb
  • Another warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries was also attacked to the east of Moscow, Vorobyov said, with a fire breaking out at the facility.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Crossing threat Undoubtedly, Coventry’s best attacking moments come from wide positions.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack

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ostracisms
ostracize
ostracized
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Cite this Entry

“Ostracize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostracize. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ostracize

Nglish: Translation of ostracize for Spanish Speakers

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