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
Pockets where gay men could be open and relaxed in the US were rare, and the disease, ignored by the government for years, only stigmatized the community further during a time of peril.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
Since then, school officials cited concerns about absenteeism, the feasibility of accommodating opt-out requests, and a desire to avoid stigmatizing LGBTQ+ students or families as reasons for their policy.
—Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
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Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
Since then, school officials cited concerns about absenteeism, the feasibility of accommodating opt-out requests, and a desire to avoid stigmatizing LGBTQ+ students or families as reasons for their policy.
—Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigmatize. Accessed 4 Jul. 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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