stigmatize
verb
stig·ma·tize
ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 
stigmatized; stigmatizing; stigmatizes
1
a
: to describe or regard (something, such as a characteristic or group of people) in a way that shows strong disapproval
"… Academic ableism accentuates ability and stigmatizes any weakness. …"—
Michele Cooke
Michele CookeThe campaign strives to educate individuals and communities about mental illness to the point where they understand it well enough not to stigmatize it, which is similar to what's happened with physical illnesses over time.—MacKenzie Tastan
MacKenzie TastanAlcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use problems are considered diseases like any other, but are stigmatized as moral failure by many.—Marcelo Campos
Marcelo Campos
b
archaic
: brand
2
: to mark with stigmata
Examples of stigmatize in a Sentence
a legal system that stigmatizes juveniles as criminals
Recent Examples on the Web
These are stigmatized explanations of why suicide happens and can discourage people with suicidal ideation from asking for help.
—Sarah Schuster, Health, 14 Apr. 2024
The decision to stay child-free has also become less stigmatized, Athan notes, and some data suggest more people are taking that route.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Research shows that people who feel their schizophrenia is stigmatized can have worse depression, social anxiety and quality of life, as well as lower self-esteem, social functioning and support from loved ones.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
A lot of conspiracy theories, nefarious fables and disinformation involves groups who are minorities and groups who are stigmatized in some way.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024
Cancer was particularly stigmatized at that time in Japan, where doctors often wouldn’t even tell dying patients what was killing them.
—Maria Aspan, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024
African American English and Black ASL are stigmatized.
—USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Within their rural, predominantly masculine culture that values stoicism and self-sufficiency, mental health and mental illness remain heavily stigmatized.
—Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 27 Feb. 2024
Body Acne Steps Out From the Shadows Acne is a skin issue for 50 million Americans, and yet openly discussing breakouts, or asking for product recommendations, is still stigmatized, especially for blemishes on the back, chest, or butt.
—Hannah Baxter, Allure, 5 Mar. 2024
Sarah Schuster, Health, 14 Apr. 2024
The decision to stay child-free has also become less stigmatized, Athan notes, and some data suggest more people are taking that route.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Research shows that people who feel their schizophrenia is stigmatized can have worse depression, social anxiety and quality of life, as well as lower self-esteem, social functioning and support from loved ones.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
A lot of conspiracy theories, nefarious fables and disinformation involves groups who are minorities and groups who are stigmatized in some way.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024
Cancer was particularly stigmatized at that time in Japan, where doctors often wouldn’t even tell dying patients what was killing them.
—Maria Aspan, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024
African American English and Black ASL are stigmatized.
—USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Within their rural, predominantly masculine culture that values stoicism and self-sufficiency, mental health and mental illness remain heavily stigmatized.
—Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 27 Feb. 2024
Body Acne Steps Out From the Shadows Acne is a skin issue for 50 million Americans, and yet openly discussing breakouts, or asking for product recommendations, is still stigmatized, especially for blemishes on the back, chest, or butt.
—Hannah Baxter, Allure, 5 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stigmatize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stigmatize
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigmatize. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stigmatize
verb
stig·ma·tize
ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz
stigmatized; stigmatizing
: to mark with a stigma
especially
: to describe or identify as disgraceful
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