Select the one-word substitute that best expresses the meaning of the phrase: “To exclude someone from a society or group.”

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question tests knowledge of precise one-word substitutions in English. The phrase given is “To exclude from a society or group,” and the learner has to identify the single verb that most accurately conveys this meaning. Mastering such one-word substitutes is very important for competitive exams, as they appear in synonym, antonym, and cloze tests, and they also help candidates express ideas clearly and concisely in both spoken and written English.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase to be substituted is “To exclude from a society or group.”
• All options are English verbs or verb phrases that describe some type of removal, rejection, or social action.
• The task is to choose the option whose core meaning matches the idea of formally excluding a person from a group or community.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to understand the nuance of each option and decide which one specifically refers to exclusion from a group or community. In vocabulary questions, it is not enough that a word appears somewhat similar. The exact context of the phrase matters. Here, the phrase describes a social action of shutting someone out from a society, a club, a community, or a group. The word we need must capture this social exclusion, often as a deliberate and sometimes formal act, rather than merely sending someone away or refusing to deal with them commercially.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the core meaning of the phrase: to exclude someone from participation in a community or group, often in a formal or social sense. Step 2: Examine “to ostracise.” This verb means to exclude, shun, or refuse to associate with a person, especially from a group or community, often as a form of social punishment. Step 3: Examine “to deport.” This means to expel a foreigner from a country, usually by legal or governmental order. It is about sending a person out of a country, not specifically about social exclusion from a group. Step 4: Examine “to boycott.” This means to refuse to buy, use, or participate in something as a form of protest. It involves refusing to deal with someone or something, but it does not necessarily mean removing a person from a society or group. Step 5: Examine “to snub.” This means to insult someone by ignoring them or treating them coldly. It is rude behavior but does not fully capture the idea of formally excluding the person from a group. Step 6: Compare all meanings and see which verb is the closest match to formal social exclusion from a group. “To ostracise” fits perfectly.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by placing each option into the original phrase: “To ostracise someone is to exclude them from a society or group” makes complete sense and is a standard dictionary definition. “To deport someone from a society or group” does not sound idiomatic; deport is used with a country. “To boycott a person” is to refuse dealings, not to throw them out of a community. “To snub a person” is to slight them but not necessarily banish them. Therefore, the best and most precise one-word substitute remains “to ostracise.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• to deport: Refers to expelling a person from a country by legal authority, not to social exclusion from a group or community.
• to boycott: Means to refuse to deal with or support as a protest, more about economic or social protest than formal exclusion from a group.
• to snub: Means to ignore or treat with coldness or disdain, but the person still remains part of the group, so it is not full exclusion.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often pick words like “deport” or “boycott” because they sound strong and negative. However, vocabulary questions demand precision. “Boycott” often involves a group refusing to buy goods or use services, not throwing someone out of membership. “Deport” is a legal removal from a country, not everyday group exclusion. Another pitfall is confusing “snub” with complete exclusion; a snub is a rude act, but the person is still part of the social circle. Remember that “ostracise” is specifically about excluding or shunning someone from a group or community, which is exactly what the phrase describes.

Final Answer:
The one-word substitute that best expresses “To exclude from a society or group” is to ostracise.