stigmatize

verb

stig·​ma·​tize ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 

stigmatized; stigmatizing; stigmatizes

transitive verb

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

The 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

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use problems are considered diseases like any other, but are stigmatized as moral failure by many.

—Marcelo Campos

b

archaic : brand

2

: to mark with stigmata

stigmatization

ˌstig-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of stigmatize in a Sentence

a legal system that stigmatizes juveniles as criminals

Recent Examples on the Web

Because the system can be administrative, opaque and socially stigmatized—used only in emergencies, rarely encouraged by employers and poorly understood by employees. —Arbia Smiti, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

In short order, gay men were stigmatized and blamed in what would become one of the biggest public health disasters of all time. —Time, 11 June 2025

Romance has always been a popular genre, but is often stigmatized for the same reason hordes of people seek it out: its set rules. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2025

Saying commit suicide can suggest a criminal intent and can further stigmatize suicide and mental health issues. —Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for stigmatize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

stigmatize

verb

stig·​ma·​tize ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 

stigmatized; stigmatizing

: to mark with a stigma

especially : to describe or identify as disgraceful