Ausgestoßene

Ausgestoßene (plural: die Ausgestoßenen) is a German noun meaning "the outcasts" or "the ostracized." It refers to people who are excluded from participation in a social group or society, often because of stigma, difference, or perceived deviance. The term is used across sociology, anthropology, literature, and public discourse to denote those who are marginalized or socially excluded.

Etymology: The word derives from the verb ausstoßen, meaning "to eject" or "to ostracize," with the participle ausgestoßen forming the basis of the noun. The plural form in everyday usage is die Ausgestoßenen.

Usage and context: In sociology and related fields, Ausgestoßene describes processes of marginalization, social exclusion, and stigmatization. It can refer to a range of groups depending on context—such as the poor, migrants, former inmates, or other stigmatized populations. In political or media discourse, the term may be used to critique policies or social norms that produce exclusion. In literature and film, it often designates characters who exist on the margins of society.

Criticism and alternatives: The label can be loaded or dehumanizing, implying fixed identity rather than a process. Some scholars prefer terms like marginalisierte Personen (marginalized persons) or Ausgeschlossene, or specify the group involved (e.g., Obdachlose, Migrantinnen) to emphasize context and agency.

See also: social exclusion, ostracism, marginalization.