# ostracized

/ˈɔstɹəˌsaɪzd/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ostracized
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

to leave someone out of a group on purpose, so they cannot join in or feel welcome.

For teachers: to deliberately exclude a person or group from social acceptance, participation, or privileges.

## Examples

- Classmates ignore him and he feels ostracized.
- After he reported the cheating, his teammates ostracized him and stopped inviting him to lunch.
- The whistleblower described how colleagues who once sought her advice gradually ostracized her, leaving her isolated in meetings she had once led.

## Synonyms

exclude, 'shun, isolate

## Antonyms

include, Welcome, accept

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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