ostracized

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ostracized' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who has been excluded or ignored by their social group or community because of their beliefs, identity, etc. Example sentence: The small town ostracized the immigrant family after they refused to conform to their religious beliefs.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After Hipparchus, four more men, the last of them being Aristides, were ostracized before the amnesty in 481, preceding the invasion of Xerxes I.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The most difficult period of Franco's regime began in the aftermath of World War II, when his government was ostracized by the newly formed United Nations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Home of the Brave was an adaptation of Arthur Laurents's play, with James Edwards as an African American soldier who is ostracized and harassed by fellow servicemen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ostracized by citizens of the white community who resented his father's efforts to educate blacks, Lee made his friends from among the black children of the town and, together with his brother and sister, spent a happy although sternly disciplined childhood in this rural community.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Similarly, there are full-time and part-time artists; there are artists who figure in the political establishment and those who are ostracized and despised; and some art forms can be made by anyone, while others demand the devotion of an expert.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the following years he was virtually ostracized for his political views, although in 1958 the Supreme Court overturned the affidavit ruling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was they who ostracized detractors, particularly the Roman Catholic zoologist Saint George Jackson Mivart.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He appears to have been prominent within the party that favoured resistance to Persia, but in 482 he was ostracized, probably because he opposed Themistocles' plan to use the silver from a new vein of the mines at Laurium to build a large fleet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the 440s he had to deal with a major rival, Thucydides, son of Melesias (not the historian), who was ostracized in 443.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ostracism is said by Aristotle, in his Constitution of Athens, to have been introduced by Cleisthenes in his reform of the Athenian constitution after the expulsion of Hippias (c. 508 bc), but the first use of it seems to have been made in 488 487 bc, when Hipparchus, son of Charmus of Collytus, was ostracized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Miltiades died in disgrace (489), and from 487 to 483 other leaders were successively ostracized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostracized" to describe situations where someone is actively excluded from a community or group due to their beliefs, actions, or identity. Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the exclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "ostracized" simply to describe someone who is lonely or isolated without a clear indication that their isolation is a result of deliberate exclusion by others. Ensure the subject was purposefully excluded and not simply isolated.

Linguistic Context

The word "ostracized" primarily functions as a verb, often in its past participle form, to describe the action of excluding someone from a group or community. As Ludwig AI suggests, it accurately conveys the act of being excluded due to certain beliefs or identities. Examples show its use in historical, social, and personal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

28%

News & Media

46%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ostracized" is a verb used to describe the act of excluding someone from a community or group. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. As highlighted by the provided examples on Ludwig, "ostracized" is commonly found in encyclopedic and news contexts, indicating its relevance in both historical and contemporary discussions. It is important to use "ostracized" when the exclusion is deliberate and not simply a state of isolation. Alternatives include "shunned", "excluded", and "rejected", each with slightly different connotations. This guide offers insights into its proper usage, common errors to avoid, and alternative phrases for diverse writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shunned

Focuses on deliberately avoiding someone.

excluded

Emphasizes the act of being kept out.

rejected

Highlights the refusal to accept someone.

isolated

Stresses the state of being alone and separated.

alienated

Indicates a feeling of estrangement.

marginalized

Highlights being pushed to the edge of society.

banished

Implies a formal expulsion.

cast out

Emphasizes forceful removal from a group.

blacklisted

Focuses on being put on a list to be avoided.

boycotted

Highlights a collective refusal to deal with someone.

FAQs

How is "ostracized" used in a sentence?

Use "ostracized" to indicate that someone has been excluded from a group. For example, "The whistleblower was "ostracized" by his colleagues after revealing the company's secrets."

What's a synonym for "ostracized"?

Synonyms for "ostracized" include "shunned", "excluded", or "rejected", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "ostracized" in formal writing?

Yes, "ostracized" is suitable for formal writing when describing deliberate social exclusion. However, ensure that your writing is neutral and avoid using emotive language that might bias your argument.

What is the difference between "ostracized" and "isolated"?

"Ostracized" implies active exclusion by others, while "isolated" can refer to being alone without necessarily implying deliberate rejection. For example, someone might be "isolated" due to geography, but "ostracized" because of their controversial opinions.