Ostracism

Ostracism is the act of excluding or shunning someone from a society, group, or community. It's a form of social rejection that involves deliberately ignoring, isolating, or withholding social interaction from an individual. This can manifest in various ways, such as being left out of conversations, social gatherings, or even being ignored in public spaces. The purpose of ostracism is often to punish, control behavior, or enforce social norms, leading to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and psychological distress in the ostracized individual.

Ostracism meaning with examples

• After the scandal, the politician faced ostracism from his party. Colleagues refused to speak with him, and he was excluded from important meetings. This severe form of social rejection led to his political career effectively ending and a profound sense of isolation as he could no longer network or socialize with old contacts.
• The new student, with her different beliefs and opinions, was subjected to ostracism at school. No one would sit with her at lunch or work with her on group projects. This isolation caused her to struggle academically and emotionally, as she felt disconnected from the school community and her peers.
• In the small town, the family who had spoken out against the local authority endured years of ostracism. Neighbors avoided them, businesses refused their patronage, and they were excluded from local events, all a form of social punishment for their perceived insubordination.
• The employee who disclosed unethical practices was met with ostracism in the workplace. They were sidelined in projects, their opinions dismissed, and they found themselves excluded from team discussions and social gatherings, a tactic of intimidation.