ostracised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ostracised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of excluding someone from a group or society, often as a form of punishment or social rejection. Example: "After the scandal, he felt ostracised by his former friends and colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They will probably be ostracised by friends, rejected by family and turned away by the UN and the myriad international NGOs that are equipped, trained and ready to help women.

The Guardian

Now we are most likely about to witness a third casualty, Portugal, a small country with low competitiveness, already ostracised by bond investors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Was he actually ostracised by – and then reconciled with – the owner of a Bristol deli?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The mere association with Aids can cause children to be ostracised by their peers, as communities refer to the virus as a curse, and those with it, or associated with it, cursed.

The Guardian

WHEN Thein Sein was picked by his fellow generals to lead Myanmar a little over two years ago, the country was a pariah state, ostracised by the West, shut off from the mainstream of Asian prosperity and ground down after decades of brutal, corrupt and inept military rule.

The Economist

But they do so brutalised, lacking skills and ostracised by a society with a punitive attitude towards criminals.

The Economist

Down the pit, no one smoked because they would have been ostracised by their mates for risking lives.

The Economist

He could allow some political competition, which risks unravelling the system, or he could try to suppress discontent and risk being ostracised in the West and hated at home.Mr Putin, who dislikes making radical decisions, seems to want to sit it out and leave it to his aides to defuse the tension.

The Economist

And many of them are finding Israel's demand that Hamas should once again be ostracised annoyingly shrill (see article).This time, there is a chance that the rival militias will not undermine the agreement as before.

The Economist

But as I became involved with local entrepreneurs, I realised that those who returned home with MBAs were often ostracised.

The Economist

And fellow oilmen might have ostracised BP, even to the point of damaging its future business ventures.Who dares winsWhy then did Sir John set out on the green path?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostracised" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of excluding someone from a group, often due to disapproval or disagreement.

Common error

While both terms describe a lack of social interaction, "ostracised" implies an active and intentional exclusion, whereas "ignored" can simply mean a lack of attention. Use "ostracised" only when the exclusion is deliberate.

Linguistic Context

Ostracised" primarily functions as the past participle of the verb "ostracise", describing the state of being excluded from a group or society. Ludwig confirms its common usage. It can also function as an adjective. Examples show its use in describing individuals and groups being socially excluded.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ostracised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as validated by Ludwig, primarily functioning as a verb in the past tense or as an adjective to describe the state of being excluded. It conveys a clear sense of social rejection and deliberate exclusion, suitable for neutral to formal contexts. While the word choice is correct and widely accepted, remember to not confuse it with less forceful alternatives like "ignored". Predominantly found in News & Media sources, "ostracised" effectively communicates the consequences of actions leading to social exclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shunned

Implies avoidance or rejection, often in a less formal context.

excluded

Focuses on the act of preventing someone from participating or being included.

rejected

Indicates a refusal to accept or associate with someone.

shunned by society

Highlights the societal aspect of being avoided and rejected.

isolated

Highlights the state of being alone and apart from others.

socially isolated

Emphasizes the social aspect of being cut off from others.

banished

Suggests a formal or forced exclusion, often from a place or community.

blackballed

Refers to a secret vote against someone, preventing their acceptance.

cast out

Emphasizes the act of expelling someone from a group.

made an outcast

Focuses on being considered an outsider.

FAQs

How to use "ostracised" in a sentence?

"Ostracised" is used to describe someone who has been excluded from a group or society. For example, "He was "ostracised" for his unpopular opinions."

What can I say instead of "ostracised"?

You can use alternatives like "shunned", "excluded", or "rejected" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ostracised" or "ostracized"?

"Ostracised" is the British English spelling, while "ostracized" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but use the spelling appropriate for your audience.

What's the difference between "ostracised" and "isolated"?

"Ostracised" implies an active exclusion from a group, while "isolated" simply means being alone, without necessarily implying a deliberate act of exclusion.