fat-shaming

1 of 2

noun

fat-sham·​ing ˈfat-ˌshā-miŋ 

variants or fat shaming

: the act or practice of subjecting someone perceived as fat or overweight to criticism or mockery

… wasn't aware … that the designers had also been embroiled in controversies over fat-shaming and same-sex families.

—Vanessa Friedman

As much as it focuses on other aspects of Annie's life, "Shrill" includes instances of bullying and fat shaming. A scene in which a trainer accosts Annie and tries to guilt her into signing up for workouts was inspired by Bryant's life.

—Kelly Lawler

fat-shaming adjective

fat-shaming comments/criticism

fat-shaming

2 of 2

present participle of fat-shame

Examples of fat-shaming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Nobody would write a Falstaff now, with all of the fat-shaming baked into his persona. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026

Theoretically, the body-positivity movement would prevent a recurrence of the fat-shaming in America’s Next Top Model. — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2026

There were also allegedly posts that included fat-shaming and rape jokes, in addition to other topics, per Stereogum. — Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 31 July 2025

In response to Lizzo’s request to have the case tossed, a judge ruled in February it was allowed to move forward to trial, though with certain allegations of fat-shaming dismissed. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 23 Nov. 2024

Then there’s the Cold Tea Collective, which published an article with tips for dealing with fat-shaming in an Asian family. — Isabel Yip, NBC News, 31 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

2007, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fat-shaming

• declaiming
• defaming
• disclaiming
• exclaiming
• inflaming
• proclaiming
• reclaiming
• reframing
• renaming
• aiming
• blaming
• claiming