as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
in "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne bore the stigma of adultery
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stigma
By simplifying what was once complex and by making digital self-protection accessible, mobile-first, and stigma-free, ClarityCheck hopes to provide simple and clear verification to its users.
—
Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Many social media influencers talk about their mental health struggles, easing some stigma among young people and encouraging them to get help.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
Oksana Borkun knows a lot about the stigma of being a young widow.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Yet adherence has remained a challenge, particularly for people facing stigma or unpredictable schedules.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Many social media influencers talk about their mental health struggles, easing some stigma among young people and encouraging them to get help.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
Oksana Borkun knows a lot about the stigma of being a young widow.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Yet adherence has remained a challenge, particularly for people facing stigma or unpredictable schedules.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
Noun
-
Use shelf liners inside cabinets to prevent stains and easily clean up crumbs and debris.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Goo Gone can be used for hair dye stains, dirty vents, garage floors, and crayon scribbles.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The taint of being part of the cheating 2017 Astros has worn off over the years, and Cubs fans are banging the drum for Bregman’s arrival, excited to have an offensive upgrade from Matt Shaw, who can still learn a lot from playing multiple positions and watching from the bench.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
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And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the restaurant on the top floor, Gray Kunz’s Café Gray Deluxe, the lamb tagine is so tender there’s no guilt for skipping a chance to have dim sum and Hong Kong’s signature egg tarts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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The film ruminates on guilt, familial strife, and trauma with Ball’s signature bittersweet touch, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Television Movie.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no shame in belt tightening, which is long overdue in Miami.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
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This was a fugitive sensibility with a shroud of shame around it.—
E. Alex Jung,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To fix this, simply rub a wet rag with a little dish soap into the stain, and then blot dry.—
Kate Donovan,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Such cancellations are a blot on the escutcheon of the left as certainly as cancellations from the right, and the deference of any publisher to them a mark of rank cowardice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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