ostracism
noun
os·tra·cism
ˈä-strə-ˌsi-zəm 
1
: a method of temporary banishment by popular vote without trial or special accusation practiced in ancient Greece
Ostracism of political opponents was a common practice in ancient Athens.
2
: exclusion by general consent from common privileges or social acceptance
For years she suffered ostracism from the scientific community.
Ostracism is a common fate for tell-all writers.—
R. S. Coburn
R. S. CoburnExamples of ostracism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The risks of defiance are often highlighted: ostracism, professional consequences or backlash.
—Sunita Sah, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
Read More: The Surprising Face of German Anti-Immigration Policies
The biggest target of this ostracism has been the AfD. Even as its public support has grown over the past decade from less than 5% to around 20% in the polls, the party has remained a pariah in Parliament.
—Simon Shuster/berlin, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
So is the country's push for swift justice Trump's rhetoric, which appears to change tack on Putin's ostracism by the U.S., was welcomed by some in Russia.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
To refine their results, the researchers then asked around 300 participants to take narcissism assessments and to record their feelings of past and present ostracism, reporting present ostracism over a period of 14 days.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025
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Sunita Sah, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
Read More: The Surprising Face of German Anti-Immigration Policies
The biggest target of this ostracism has been the AfD. Even as its public support has grown over the past decade from less than 5% to around 20% in the polls, the party has remained a pariah in Parliament.
—Simon Shuster/berlin, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
So is the country's push for swift justice Trump's rhetoric, which appears to change tack on Putin's ostracism by the U.S., was welcomed by some in Russia.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
To refine their results, the researchers then asked around 300 participants to take narcissism assessments and to record their feelings of past and present ostracism, reporting present ostracism over a period of 14 days.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostracism
Articles Related to ostracism
Cite this Entry
“Ostracism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostracism. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ostracism
noun
os·tra·cism
ˈäs-trə-ˌsiz-əm
1
: a method of temporary banishment by popular vote without trial practiced in ancient Greece
2
: a general refusal to include someone as part of a social group
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