ostracized
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈɒstrəˌsaɪzd/
KK: /ˈɑstrəˌsaɪzd/
adjective
Definition
Excluded or shunned by a group or society, often as a form of punishment or social rejection.
Example
After the scandal, he felt ostracized by his former friends and colleagues.
Conversation
I heard that Alex feels really ostracized at school lately.
That's really sad. I didn't know things were that bad for him.
Yeah, it's tough when friends turn away from you for no reason.
I hope he finds some support soon; no one deserves to feel ostracized.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
excluded
shunned
rejected
Antonyms
accepted
included
welcomed
verb
Definition
To exclude someone from a group or society, often as a form of punishment or social rejection.
Example
After the scandal, he felt ostracized by his friends and community.
Tense Forms
Past: ostracized
Past Participle: ostracized
Conversation
Did you hear about how Tom was ostracized from the group?
Yeah, it's really sad what happened to him.
I can't believe they would just ostracize him like that over a misunderstanding.
Root Explanation
Ostracized → It is formed from "ostrakon" (Greek, meaning shell or potsherd) and the suffix "-ize" (meaning to make or to become). The term originally referred to the practice in ancient Athens where citizens could vote to exile someone by writing their name on a piece of pottery, thus making them an outcast.
Memory Tip
Imagine writing a name on a shell ('ostrakon') to make someone an outcast — that's how you remember that 'ostracized' means to be excluded or banished.
Visually Confused Words
exostracize