ostracizing

USAGE SUMMARY

"ostracizing" is a correct word and usable in written English.
It means to exclude someone from a group or society, typically for social or political reasons. You can use it in situations where someone is deliberately excluded from a group or environment. For example: "The new girl in school was ostracized by her peers for being different."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Flaubert, out of kindness as well as out of professional curiosity, had continued to see Louise Pradier when the "bourgeois" were ostracizing her as a fallen woman, and she must have given him her strange document.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And I'm for ostracizing people who egg on other people to shoot American Marines and American soldiers.

The New Yorker

Buckley pursues Smith's line of argument, saying, "Some people were pro-Nazi, and the answer is that they were well treated by people who ostracized them, and I'm for ostracizing people who egg on other people to shoot American Marines and American soldiers".

The New Yorker

Female meanness has always been based on spite, gossip, rumor-spreading, ostracizing, getting groups to target one girl in particular, making fun and a host of other actions that can still make grown women feel a chill or worse at memories of this behavior.

The New York Times

Last July, the U.S. Supreme Court sprung leaks about justices ostracizing their chief, John Roberts, for voting to uphold the health care law.

The New York Times

Ostracizing so many Iraqis helped to fuel the insurgency that pushed the country into a sectarian conflict, in which tens of thousands of Iraqis died.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

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

Common error

Avoid using "ostracizing" to describe simple disagreements or differences of opinion. Ostracism implies a deliberate and systematic exclusion, not just a casual dispute.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ostracizing" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form. It describes the action of excluding someone from a group. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing the act of actively excluding individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ostracizing" is a verb that describes the act of excluding someone from a group or society, usually due to disapproval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. Found frequently in contexts such as news and media, "ostracizing" emphasizes the social implications of exclusion. Alternatives include "excluding", "shunning" and "rejecting", each with slightly different nuances. When using "ostracizing", ensure you are accurately portraying a deliberate act of exclusion, not just a simple disagreement. It’s a common term, but mindful usage ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excluding

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

shunning

Implies a deliberate avoidance of someone, often for moral or social reasons.

rejecting

Highlights the act of refusing to accept someone into a group or society.

alienating

Emphasizes the feeling of isolation and estrangement that someone experiences.

marginalizing

Focuses on pushing someone to the edge of society, reducing their power and influence.

isolating

Highlights the act of separating someone from others, both physically and emotionally.

excluding from society

More explicitly states the context of exclusion being from a broader social structure.

casting out

Suggests a more forceful and decisive act of expulsion.

giving someone the cold shoulder

An idiom that describes ignoring or being unfriendly to someone.

boycotting

Refers to a collective refusal to deal with a person or entity, often for political reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "ostracizing" in a sentence?

You can use "ostracizing" to describe the act of excluding someone from a group or society. For example: "The community was ostracizing the family after the scandal".

What's a synonym for "ostracizing"?

Synonyms for "ostracizing" include "excluding", "shunning", and "rejecting". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "ostracizing" and "excluding"?

"Excluding" is a broader term that simply means preventing someone from entering or participating. "Ostracizing" implies a deliberate and often socially motivated act of excluding someone, often from a community or group.

When is it appropriate to use the word "ostracizing"?

Use "ostracizing" when describing a situation where someone is being deliberately excluded from a group or society due to disapproval, disagreement, or some other form of social pressure.