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
Why is disability so stigmatized in our culture, while parenting is praised?
—Mara Gordon, NPR, 31 May 2025
Her platform has helped normalize therapy for thousands of Black women who have historically been shut out of—or stigmatized by—mental health spaces.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 28 May 2025
The protesters, who are HIV-positive, did not conceal their faces — a rare occurrence in a country where the virus is still heavily stigmatized.
—Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
Other factors include the way front offices utilize the Injured List, and that IL trips are less stigmatized among players nowadays.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
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Mara Gordon, NPR, 31 May 2025
Her platform has helped normalize therapy for thousands of Black women who have historically been shut out of—or stigmatized by—mental health spaces.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 28 May 2025
The protesters, who are HIV-positive, did not conceal their faces — a rare occurrence in a country where the virus is still heavily stigmatized.
—Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
Other factors include the way front offices utilize the Injured List, and that IL trips are less stigmatized among players nowadays.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigmatize. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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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