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
Add in the stigma of Dieselgate, poor reliability ratings, and tariff costs, and VW’s attempt at a confident, upbeat Atlas launch was somewhat hard to watch.
—
New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
On April 9, 1987, Princess Diana made history and broke stigmas by shaking hands with a man diagnosed with HIV without wearing gloves.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
In antiquity, technology was literally demonized, so there was no stigma in positioning oneself against it.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Long waiting lists, affordability issues and stigma often lead to people giving up on seeking help.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
On April 9, 1987, Princess Diana made history and broke stigmas by shaking hands with a man diagnosed with HIV without wearing gloves.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
In antiquity, technology was literally demonized, so there was no stigma in positioning oneself against it.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Long waiting lists, affordability issues and stigma often lead to people giving up on seeking help.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
Noun
-
How to Spot Clean a Puffer Jacket No matter what your puffer is filled with, spot cleaning is a safe and easy way to refresh it and is ideal for small stains.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
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Besides adding fresh flavor to seafood and classic cocktails, powering bathroom scouring, and removing stains, lemon peels can also benefit your plants.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a purity here, the course free from the taint of bureaucracy governing so much of the academy.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
-
So long-reaching was the taint of that shame, Kentucky’s Bill Spivey died in Costa Rica, a practical exile after he not only was run out of the college game, he was banned from the NBA, too.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The prosecutors said the long lag showed consciousness of guilt.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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Well, there are worse things to do with your guilt over saying something cruel in a drunken rant than throwing a very thoughtful 30th-birthday party, no?—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sam knows the shame Hally has suffered from his father’s drunken sprees.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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But even some of TMZ’s usual detractors have applauded its pivot to name-and-shame political coverage.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Spot Clean Stains For sweat stains, urine or spills, blot the area with a clean cloth and a mild cleaning solution.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
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The broad scenario is one in which Iran is, at best, a minor blot in the rearview mirror as America’s interests move elsewhere.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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