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
In the City of Brotherly Love, Sirianni is stigmatized by the widespread perception of his limitations as an offensive strategist, and he’s often marginalized as a glorified caretaker of an operation fueled by an elite owner, rock-star GM, brilliant defensive coordinator and talent-rich roster.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 June 2026
There’ll be bits of the media, the right-wing press, for instance, who will have already put in some hard work stigmatizing asylum seekers or other groups of immigrants.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Many nurses reported hearing their colleagues using stigmatizing language and dismissive behaviors.
—Karli Swenson, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Success in this space often hinges on clinical validation, consumer education, regulatory navigation, and building trust in a historically underserved and stigmatized category.
—Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
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Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 June 2026
There’ll be bits of the media, the right-wing press, for instance, who will have already put in some hard work stigmatizing asylum seekers or other groups of immigrants.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Many nurses reported hearing their colleagues using stigmatizing language and dismissive behaviors.
—Karli Swenson, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Success in this space often hinges on clinical validation, consumer education, regulatory navigation, and building trust in a historically underserved and stigmatized category.
—Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigmatize. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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