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
Back in 1999, at a time when the disease was still shrouded in stigma and shame, Mazibuko disclosed his own HIV-positive status in a column in South Africa's biggest newspaper.
—
Juana Summers, NPR, 7 June 2026
The whole project ties together as a powerful critique of modern mental health stigmas and sexism, as history's witch hunts were byproducts of multiple layers of prejudice and misunderstanding.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
One of his missions is to end the stigma that still surrounds people with HIV.
—Joe Donlon, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Today, resale apps, consignment shops, and secondhand racks have gone fully mainstream—partly because of inflation, but also because younger consumers increasingly see bargain hunting as smart money management instead of a stigma.
—Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Juana Summers, NPR, 7 June 2026
The whole project ties together as a powerful critique of modern mental health stigmas and sexism, as history's witch hunts were byproducts of multiple layers of prejudice and misunderstanding.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
One of his missions is to end the stigma that still surrounds people with HIV.
—Joe Donlon, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Today, resale apps, consignment shops, and secondhand racks have gone fully mainstream—partly because of inflation, but also because younger consumers increasingly see bargain hunting as smart money management instead of a stigma.
—Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
Noun
-
Seal grout lines once or twice a year to protect against moisture, dirt, and stains, reducing future cleaning efforts.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
-
The Andrew and Fergie scandals have, without a doubt, left a stain on the British royal family.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The prosecutor’s subjective good faith does not cure the retaliatory taint.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
The good news is that the gala survived its Bezos taint.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
For Koji, change can’t come soon enough — the years of fighting for justice for his father have burdened him with guilt and regret.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
Stunned by the image, Charlie is overwhelmed by memories and guilt, and begins clutching his chest in an apparent heart attack.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Murray says shame can stop women from getting help.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Allow the garment to soak for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove it from the detergent solution and blot with a white paper towel or cloth.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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