ostracise
/'ɔstrəsaiz/ Cách viết khác : (ostracise) /'ɔstrəsaiz/
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To exclude someone from a society, group, or community by common consent, often as a form of punishment or disapproval.
- To deliberately avoid, ignore, or refuse to associate with someone, creating social isolation.
Usage
The verb "ostracise" (also spelled "ostracize") describes a social action. It is typically used with a direct object (the person or group being excluded). It often implies a collective or group decision to shun an individual. The tone is formal and serious, describing a severe social penalty.
Examples
- Social Exclusion:
- After the scandal, the other members of the club decided to ostracise him.
- She felt ostracised by her classmates for being different.
- Political or Group Expulsion:
- The party moved to ostracise any member who disagreed with its core principles.
- Historically, some societies would ostracise individuals for breaking sacred taboos.
Advanced Usage
- Passive Voice: Often used in the passive voice to emphasize the experience of the excluded person.
- He was ostracised for his unpopular political views.
- Figurative Use: Can be applied to concepts or ideas being rejected by a community.
- That theory has been ostracised by the mainstream scientific community.
Variants and Related Words
- Ostracism (noun): The practice or an instance of ostracising.
- Social ostracism can be a powerful tool for enforcing conformity.
- Ostraciser/Ostracizer (noun): A person who ostracises others.
Synonyms
- Shun: To persistently avoid, ignore, or reject.
- Exclude: To deny someone access to or participation in a group.
- Blackball: To reject or ostracise someone by voting against them, especially in a club.
- Cold-shoulder: To deliberately ignore or be unfriendly to someone.
Antonyms
- Welcome: To greet or receive someone warmly.
- Include: To make someone part of a group or activity.
- Embrace: To accept or support willingly and enthusiastically.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To send someone to Coventry: (British English idiom) Meaning to ostracise someone by refusing to speak to them.
- After he reported the safety violations, his coworkers sent him to Coventry.
Verb
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avoid speaking to or dealing with
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Ever since I spoke up, my colleagues ostracize me
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expel from a community or group
