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

At the meso level — within communities, workplaces, and institutions — consumers may feel excluded, stigmatized, or divided based on identity, status, or affiliation. —Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Society stigmatizes women who choose to be child-free. —Ruthie Ackerman, Time, 29 Apr. 2025

Framing autism as a problem to be solved can stigmatize and marginalize people who are simply different. —Alice Kuo and Emily Hotez, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

These trends, rooted in Black culture, were stigmatized and deemed unprofessional or rebellious. —Bryce Alexander Dixon, Essence, 28 Mar. 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