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

Community leaders, advocates, and experts on local drug treatment and prevention met last week in Havre de Grace, speaking about factors that drive addiction, stagnate recovery and stigmatize substance use disorder. —Ben Terzi, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2024

Leading Democrats press an odd response to campus uprisings across the nation: dismiss and stigmatize the persisting tide of students pleading for peace in the Middle East. —Bruce Fuller, Orange County Register, 12 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

stigmatize

verb

stig·​ma·​tize ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 

stigmatized; stigmatizing

: to mark with a stigma

especially : to describe or identify as disgraceful