marginalize

verb

mar·​gin·​al·​ize ˈmärj-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce marginalize (audio)
ˈmär-jə-nᵊl-ˌīz
marginalized; marginalizing

transitive verb

: to relegate (see relegate sense 2) to an unimportant or powerless position within a society or group
We are protesting policies that marginalize women.
marginalization
ˌmärj-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce marginalize (audio)
ˌmär-jə-nᵊl-ə-
noun

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Marginalized Writing vs. Marginalized People

Marginalize provides a striking case of how thoroughly the figurative use of a word can take over the literal one. The original (and now obsolete) meaning of this word, “to write notes in the margin of,” is analogous to the still-familiar noun marginalia “marginal notes or embellishments." A margin is, of course, the blank space surrounding the text in a book. Just prior to 1970, marginalize took on the sense that is most commonly encountered today, “to relegate to an unimportant or powerless position” (that is, to the metaphorical margins of society). This use of the word can be found as far back as 1968; an article in The Los Angeles Times from June 20th of that year reports, “[T]he Negro was kept aside, marginalized, thus composing in its large majority the chronically poor.” In its newer sense, marginalize has assumed a much more prominent place in the vocabulary than it once had.

Examples of marginalize in a Sentence

The program helps people from marginalized groups.
Recent Examples on the Web So there is just inherently something that resonates about that character, but about the X-Men in general with people that feel marginalized. Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024 Critics argue that the law is further evidence that Mr. Modi’s government is trying to reshape the country into a Hindu state and marginalize its 200 million Muslims. Sheikh Saaliq, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2024 For years, even in Bay Area circles, such speculative conversations were marginalized. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 French proposal brings a warning from Russia Putin crackdowns on his critics Putin has passed stringent laws that have marginalized any effective opposition to his rule. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 Belinda Joyner is among a growing number of critics who say the industry puts the environment and marginalized communities at risk. Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024 The party’s notably early support for Lake would seem to further marginalize the campaign of Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who began his Senate campaign six months before hers, but has struggled to draw attention and money. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Speaking to Variety ahead of the film’s Toronto premiere, the director said she was inspired to provide a voice to people who are marginalized or face unconscious prejudice in Middle Eastern society. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 Its crackdown on dissent is so complete, and genuine political opposition so marginalized, that the event was allowed to take place. Nathan Hodge, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marginalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marginalize was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near marginalize

Cite this Entry

“Marginalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marginalize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

marginalize

verb
mar·​gin·​al·​ize ˈmärj-nəl-ˌīz How to pronounce marginalize (audio)
-ən-ᵊl-
marginalized; marginalizing
: to remove to or keep in a position without influence in a society or group
marginalization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on marginalize

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