stigma

noun

ˈstig-mə How to pronounce stigma (audio)
Definition of stigmanext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stigma Probably not his community of freedmen, anxious to escape the stigma of an enslavement that had ended less than ten years prior. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Some students from low-income families avoid taking free meals out of shame; if everyone eats for free, proponents say, that stigma goes away. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026 The case went to trial in June 1893, and Lizzie was found not guilty, but the stigma of the slayings would follow her for the rest of her life. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Notably, while readers shared their experiences, few were willing to be quoted on record, suggesting a stigma surrounding the use of these drugs despite their popularity. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
  1. stain
  2. taint
  3. guilt
  4. shame
  5. blot
Noun
  • Police found apparent blood stains in several areas of Machado's car, which investigators said Sierra used to drive the victims from the mall to the home.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • It’s designed for high-traffic areas like the living room or dining room, thanks to its durable low-pile construction and stain-resistant surface.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • Even though Thiam denied knowledge of it and was cleared of involvement, the taint of the scandal led to his ouster.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • On top of worrying about making great wine, European producers will now have to mitigate against smoke taint, save their grapes from frost, and consider how to future-proof vineyards in a rapidly changing climate.
    — Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026
Definition of taint
Noun
  • Consumed by guilt, Verity acted paralyzed as penance, and to remain close to Jeremy and their remaining child.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • East of Eden is a tome obsessed with guilt, sin, ambition, race, the land as healing and capitalism as putrefying, the nature of fate and the question of free will, and the role money and inheritance play in either our corruption or our cleansing.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of guilt
Noun
  • There were flashes of politics and victim blaming, judgment and shame in a case that’s rife with unanswered questions and likely to evolve as more details come to light.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Its main goal is to name and shame businesses with ties to the settlements.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of shame
Noun
  • Remove the wings from the refrigerator and blot away any visible moisture with paper towels.
    — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel Act+Acre’s popular flat towel comes with instructions for a specific technique —blot and squeeze, no rubbing.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of blot

Browse Nearby Words

stifling
stigma
stigmas
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Cite this Entry

“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stigma

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stigma

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