be ostracized

USAGE SUMMARY

'be ostracized' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when someone is socially excluded and not accepted by a group of people. For example, "After breaking the school rule, the student was ostracized by his peers and had difficulty finding friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will we be ostracized?

The Washington Post

I'd be ostracized at school.

The New York Times - Sports

I'll be ostracized at the tennis club!

The New York Times

"If I took their side, I could be ostracized, too".

The New York Times

He should also be ostracized for his actions.

The New York Times

If her parents supported her, they, too, would be ostracized.

The New York Times

You won't be invited to parties or be ostracized.

The Washington Post

You might lose your job, you might lose your friends, you might be ostracized.

The New York Times

Dangerous, as in any player who tried that would be ostracized?

The New York Times

"I feared I might be ostracized for studying abroad," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Graham must apologize or be ostracized from the mainstream of American society.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be ostracized" to convey a strong sense of social exclusion resulting from disapproval or disagreement, particularly when the exclusion is deliberate and widespread within a community.

Common error

Avoid using "be ostracized" for minor disagreements or casual exclusion. This phrase denotes a significant and often formal act of social rejection, not simply being left out of a single event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be ostracized" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action of being socially excluded. As Ludwig examples show, it's used to describe the state of being shunned or excluded from a group or society.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be ostracized" is a commonly used phrase that accurately describes the state of social exclusion and deliberate shunning, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. The phrase indicates a significant act of social rejection, and should not be used for cases of minor exclusion. Related phrases such as "be shunned" and ""be excluded"" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be shunned

Focuses specifically on being deliberately avoided or ignored by others.

be shunned by society

Highlights a situation of social avoidance from mainstream society.

be excluded

Indicates being left out or prevented from participating in a group or activity.

be rejected

Suggests a more direct and explicit refusal or dismissal by a group or individual.

be alienated

Emphasizes a feeling of separation and estrangement from a group or society.

be marginalized

Highlights being pushed to the edges of society or a group, often due to discrimination.

be cast out

Implies a forceful expulsion or banishment from a community or group.

be exiled

Refers to being forced to leave one's country or home, often as a punishment.

be banished

Similar to exile, but can also refer to being excluded from a specific group or place.

be blacklisted

Indicates being secretly marked for disapproval or exclusion, often in professional contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "be ostracized" in a sentence?

You can use "be ostracized" to describe situations where someone is excluded from a group or community. For instance, "He feared he would "be ostracized" if he revealed his unpopular opinions".

What's the difference between "be ostracized" and "be excluded"?

"Be excluded" generally means being left out, while "be ostracized" implies a deliberate and often formal act of social rejection. Ostracism carries a stronger connotation of disapproval or punishment than simply "be excluded".

What can I say instead of "be ostracized"?

You can use alternatives like "be shunned", "be rejected", or "be alienated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "become ostracized"?

Yes, "become ostracized" is grammatically correct and conveys the process of gradually being excluded or rejected. It emphasizes the transition into a state of ostracism, similar to how one might "become isolated".