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
Many japonica camellias, in the manner of other botanical hybrids, are sterile with their yellow, thread-like stamens and stigmas either absent or invisible.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
This legal normalization fuels a more open dialogue and reduces stigma, encouraging people who were once hesitant to explore cannabis openly and confidently.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Come gather in community at the Death Cafe event as participants share snacks and tea and break the stigma that death is a taboo topic.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
And why the stigma against dropping the people, goals, and activities that don’t serve?
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
This legal normalization fuels a more open dialogue and reduces stigma, encouraging people who were once hesitant to explore cannabis openly and confidently.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Come gather in community at the Death Cafe event as participants share snacks and tea and break the stigma that death is a taboo topic.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
And why the stigma against dropping the people, goals, and activities that don’t serve?
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
Noun
-
Snag it in black, white, green, blue, or maple or walnut wood stains in sizes ranging from 4 by 4 inches to 8 by 10 inches.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Additional Tips Avoid using hairspray to clean nail polish stains.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
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Dorit is trying to solve it by sending her kids to visit her parents in Florida for a few weeks, but PK, an ill-fitting thong made out of an alligator’s taint skin, has blocked it just to torture her.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Both adamantly denied their guilt at their arraignment.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but does not contest the charges and accepts punishment.—
Jim Saunders,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no shame in making a big, beautiful film that makes people laugh and cry and feel all the feelings that lots of people will see.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
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What a shame the NBA has allowed this to happen to handicap the Heat.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, dip a cloth or cotton balls in acetone and blot firmly on the remaining polish.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Once the product has had a chance to soak in, blot the area with a towel dampened with water to remove any residue.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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